Staff Electro-Optical Engineer

nLIGHT; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Assistance Program

Health Vision Dental paid by employer

Paid Family Leave

401k with company match

Job summary

nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc. in Longmont, CO seeks an experienced Electro‑Optical Engineer to lead design, integration, and test of HEL systems. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, engage in opto‑mechanical design, software integration, and data analysis, progressing toward program leadership and delivery of EO systems to customers.

Candidates must possess or be eligible for a U.S. DoD security clearance; preference for existing clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering, science, or related field.
• 5+ years electro‑optical experience.
• US DoD security clearance or eligibility required.
• On-site in Longmont, CO, with willingness to work in aDefense environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, development, integration, and test for High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon System and/or HEL Beam Control System (BCS).
• Hardware integration and test; data processing and preparation of performance and test documentation.
• Develop test setups to evaluate performance parameters.
• Work with the team to execute complex integration activities.
• Support field tests.

Skills

EO design

LabVIEW

MATLAB

C/C++

Systems integration

Test & verification

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Science, or related field

Job description

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience: 5+ years electro‑optical experience

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Engineering, Science, or related field.

Compensation: $130,000–$170,000 depending on experience.

Summary

Electro‑Optical (EO) Engineers at nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc. are responsible for problem‑solving and coordinating multidisciplinary teams using GitLab‑based planning tools. You will engage in opto‑mechanical design, integration, software integration, and data analysis, progressing from bench procedures to integrated product team lead and ultimately to technical program manager delivering complete EO systems to customers.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/ .

Responsibilities

• Design, Development, Integration, and Test for High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon System and/or HEL Beam Control System (BCS).
• Hardware integration and test; data processing and preparation of performance and test documentation.
• Develop test setups to evaluate performance parameters.
• Work with the team to execute complex integration activities.
• Support field tests.

Required Experience / Capability

• Commitment to Excellence, Attention to Detail, Pride in Workmanship.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and maintain composure under pressure.
• Effectively manage schedule and priorities with minimal direction to meet mid‑to‑long‑term objectives.
• Superior problem‑solving ability and ability to absorb information from multiple sources.
• Installation, alignment, and integration of optics, electro‑optics, and mechanics (COTS & custom). Competence in maintaining cleanliness standards and operation in a clean‑room environment.
• Expertise with laser and electro‑optical systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for complex opto‑mechanical alignment problems, especially ruggedized systems.
• Technical report writing and documentation skills.
• Experience with high‑power laser systems.
• Integration of auto‑alignment algorithms and methods.
• Integration for real‑time control of electro‑optical / mechanical components using LabVIEW, MATLAB, firmware, and/or C/C++/C# (code reuse).
• Experience with electro‑optical systems including acquisition, pointing, and tracking.
• Experience with MATLAB and/or C/C++/C# is beneficial.
• Experience with Adaptive Optical (AO) Systems.
• Experience in specification and evaluation of optical coating requirements for high‑power applications.
• Experience with optical fiber splicing, polishing, repair/service, and fiber management.

Additional Desired Experience / Capability

• Experience in rugged design for optical systems (kinematic, flexure mounting, adhesive mounting).
• Familiarity with implementation of electro‑optical systems.
• Experience in optical system alignment and test methods.
• Experience in opto‑mechanical assembly, including receiving, inspecting components, dry‑assembly, bonding.
• Experience in thermal management systems.
• STOP analysis (structural, thermal, optical performance).
• Experience in vibration test and analysis and isolation methods, including jitter analysis for opto‑mechanical systems.
• Experience in finite element analysis (FEA) and modeling of vibration and thermal effects.
• Static structure, fatigue, random vibration, and modal analysis.
• Experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.
• Experience with MATLAB & LabVIEW.
• Experience in Adaptive Optical (AO) Systems and/or High Energy Laser systems.
• Exposure to MIL‑STD‑810 design and/or testing.
• Experience with operation of machining, welding, or fabrication equipment.

Benefits Summary

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for employee and 75% for dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].