Software Engineer – UX​/Front-End Systems Interface

Department / Function
:
Engineering – IPG Defense

Reports To
:
Chief Engineer

Work Location
:
Huntsville, AL

Employment Type
:
Full-time (Exempt)

Travel
:
Less than 10%; occasional travel to field test sites.

Security / Clearance
:
Not required; active DoD security clearance preferred.

IPG Defense, a stand-alone business of IPG Photonics, was incorporated in 2026 to provide direct support for defense products. Headquartered in Huntsville, AL, IPG Defense is bringing commercial scale to laser defense systems, leveraging IPG Photonics’ 36 years of experience in fiber laser technology. Our mission: develop and deliver the most advanced, next-generation laser defense solutions for military and civilian use — systems that accurately and reliably detect, track, target, and neutralize threats.

IPG Photonics is the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers for diverse applications in numerous markets. Founded in 1990, IPG pioneered the development and commercialization of optical fiber-based lasers — a critical technology in our high-energy laser (HEL) systems, including the CROSSBOW program.

Your skills and experience will play a key role in shaping our growing organization, building our capabilities, and delivering on our mission. Join us and build a career that will shape the future of laser defense.

The Software Engineer – UX / Front-End develops operator dashboards and visualization tools for IPG’s defense-grade high-energy laser systems. This position combines UX design principles with high-performance C++/Qt development to create real-time control and situational-awareness interfaces for mission-critical applications. This opening targets a mid-level engineer; junior and senior candidates may also be considered, with level determined by experience and qualifications.

• Design and implement intuitive, easy-to-use GUIs in C++/C# and Qt (including QML) for laser command, camera views, diagnostics, and health monitoring.
• Integrate real-time telemetry, video, and safety data into unified, low-latency visual displays.
• Work directly with system operators and test teams to refine workflows, run usability evaluations, and iterate on interface designs.
• Support AR-based visualization for alignment and targeting.
• Apply secure-coding, code-review, and CI practices across the interface codebase.
• Ensure adherence to DFARS cybersecurity and MIL-STD usability standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 3–7 years of experience in front-end or UX development for technical systems (junior and senior candidates considered at the appropriate level).
• Proficiency in C++ and C# with Qt/QML on Windows and Linux.
• Experience building real-time or data-rich interfaces (telemetry, monitoring, or control applications).
• Experience developing UI/UX for camera or video systems and/or defense systems, with a demonstrated focus on operator ease of use.
• Experience with GPU-accelerated rendering (OpenGL or similar).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

• Active DoD security clearance.
• AR/VR interface development experience (Unity or Unreal Engine).
• Experience with HMI design for mission-critical or safety-critical systems.
• Familiarity with defense UI/UX standards and human-factors principles.
• Experience with Java, CUDA, or video streaming pipelines (e.g., GStreamer).
• Experience conducting usability testing with end users.

• Primarily office/lab setting; occasional travel to field sites and use of laser-safety PPE.

• Work at the forefront of…