Applications Engineer – Handheld Laser Welding

The Handheld Laser Institute is seeking an Applications Engineer to join the instruction, application development, and customer enablement team for handheld laser welding technology. This role blends engineering/fabrication expertise, hands-on production experience, and training delivery to support workforce development and onsite industry adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.

The ideal candidate is either:

• A highly experienced production welder/operator with deep expertise in handheld laser welding systems

This individual will train industry professionals, support implementation, and demonstrate how handheld laser welding can be used in real world manufacturing scenarios.

• MUST be okay with travel 50% of time for training/onsite instruction
• Deliver hands-on and classroom training for handheld laser welding systems
• Teach fundamentals of laser welding, including beam behavior, parameter selection, and joint design
• Guide trainees through real-world applications (butt, fillet, lap welds, etc.) in various material types and welding positions
• Assist in advancing training curriculum, modules, and certification pathways

• Demonstrate optimal welding parameters (power, speed, focal position) for various materials
• Support customers in integrating handheld laser welding into production workflows
• Evaluate weld quality, penetration, and process efficiency
• Troubleshoot weld defects, equipment issues, and process inconsistencies
• Assist in application development for new industries and use cases/R&D
• Perform fundamental level research into handheld laser welding to optimize processes, hardware, and software to meet growing industry demands
• Operate, maintain, and calibrate handheld laser welding systems
• Ensure compliance with all laser safety protocols and standards
• Maintain training lab readiness, including materials, fixtures, and tooling
• Support onboarding of new equipment and technologies

• Work with manufacturers, fabricators, and workforce partners
• Assist in workshops, bootcamps, and live demonstrations
• Contribute to content creation (videos, case studies, technical guides)
• Stay current on advancements in laser welding and advanced manufacturing

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 2–5+ years of experience in:
• Handheld laser welding or
• Advanced welding processes/exotic metals in production environments (especially TIG/GTAW)
• Strong understanding of welding processes, metallurgy, and fabrication
• Experience with weld inspection, quality control, and process optimization
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Direct experience with handheld laser welding systems
• Experience training or mentoring technicians
• Familiarity with manufacturing environments (aerospace, automotive, fabrication)
• Experience comparing traditional welding vs. laser processes (efficiency, heat input, distortion, etc.)
• Hands‑on technical expertise
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Problem‑solving in real production scenarios
• Ability to translate engineering into practical application
• Adaptability in a fast-evolving technology space

Salary Range:
Commensurate w/experience & salary + bonus: $80-$140k