Laser Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 29, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 8, 2024. Cowboy Space scores B on the Alion truth index.
Overview
The Laser Engineer is critically responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing high-power laser systems for our satellite platforms. Your expertise will contribute to creating laser technologies capable of efficiently and reliably transmitting energy across vast distances from space to Earth. You will collaborate closely with optical, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to develop laser systems that meet space application performance and reliability requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Laser System Design: Design and develop high-power laser systems suitable for space-based applications, including solid-state, fiber, or semiconductor lasers.
Optical Modeling and Simulation: Use optical design software (e.g., Zemax, Code V) to model laser systems, perform simulations, and optimize performance parameters.
Component Selection and Integration: Select appropriate laser components, including gain media, pump sources, and optical elements, and integrate them into cohesive systems.
System Prototyping and Testing: Build prototypes of laser systems, conduct laboratory experiments, and perform characterization tests to validate performance against design specifications.
Thermal Management: Work with thermal engineers to design cooling systems and manage thermal effects within laser systems to ensure stability and efficiency.
Reliability and Space Qualification: Develop laser systems that meet space qualification standards, including radiation hardness, thermal-vacuum compatibility, and vibration resistance.
Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate laser systems with satellite platforms, including power systems, pointing and control mechanisms, and communication interfaces.
Documentation: Create detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, analysis reports, and operation manuals.
Innovation: Stay abreast of emerging laser technologies and industry trends, and contribute innovative ideas to improve system performance and reliability.
Requirements
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in laser engineering, including design, development, and testing of laser systems.
Proficiency with optical design and simulation software (e.g., Zemax, Code V).
Hands-on experience with high-power laser systems, including solid-state, fiber, or semiconductor lasers.
Knowledge of laser physics, nonlinear optics, and optical materials.
Experience with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, beam profilers, and laser power meters.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
5+ years of professional experience in laser system development for aerospace or space applications.
Familiarity with space qualification processes and environmental testing (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation).
Experience with laser-based energy transmission or communication systems.
Knowledge of thermal management techniques for high-power laser systems.
Experience with integration of laser systems into larger mechanical and electrical systems.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.