Senior Principal Laser Engineer

Senior Principal Laser Engineer

Coherent Corp.

Coherent Aerospace & Defense Inc.’s Emerging Laser Subsystems Business Unit is seeking a Senior Principal Laser Engineer to lead the development of lasers for military applications. The senior engineer will lead laser systems engineering, integration, and testing, serve as chief engineer, direct a team of laser experts, support program development and capture, and act as a customer‑facing expert.

• Chief Laser Engineer – provide optical engineering leadership for internally and externally funded development efforts, focusing on advanced diode‑pumped solid‑state laser development for military applications.
• New business development – support new business initiatives by interfacing with potential customers, partnering with the business development team, and selling the team’s capabilities.
• Customer interface – partner with program management and serve as the company’s lead customer‑facing diode‑pumped solid‑state laser expert.

• M.S. or Ph.D. in optics, applied physics, physics or electrical engineering.
• Requires a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree or 9 years of experience with a Ph.D. or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Experience substantially greater than these minima is highly preferred.

• Advanced laser systems and solid‑state laser design experience; deep familiarity with physics of rare‑earth‑doped lasers and amplifiers (NIR‑SWIR), bulk‑optic cavity design, and performance‑limiting effects.
• Extensive modeling of solid‑state lasers and amplifiers (gain shapes, noise figure, cavity designs, stability, dynamics).
• Experience designing complex laser systems for military or space applications is strongly preferred.
• Experience with customers, development program proposals, and serving as technical representative on laser development programs.
• Ability to construct and track progress against detailed development plans.
• Experience with phased‑gated developments and design for volume manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with laser technology transfer, development of assembly instructions and low‑rate initial production desirable.
• Self‑starter; can multi‑task, work independently under consultative direction, collaborate in a matrix‑managed organization.
• Leadership experience – delegating objectives and tasks to others to achieve goals.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating complex and unique issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in intellectual property matters desirable.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible for security clearance.

Primarily an engineering design and management function with office working conditions.

Primarily an engineering design and management function with few physical requirements.

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent A&D EHS standards.

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for executing and maintaining ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Coherent A&D is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative‑action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard‑work through a competitive compensation program.