Senior Optical Engineer

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Full Time Professional Tucson, AZ, US

13 days ago Requisition

Job Purpose:

The Senior Optical Engineer is responsible for leading the design, analysis, and development of advanced optical systems used in high‑power laser applications.

Duties:

• Deep foundation in physical/wave optics concepts, including Fresnel/Fraunhofer diffraction, wave propagation, interference theory, wavefront analysis, and spatial/temporal coherence. Experience with interferometric systems, adaptive optics, phase-locking, or phase noise modeling is directly applicable in lieu of direct CBC experience.
• Interact closely with customers to determine optical design feasibility against specifications, including systems requiring coherent beam combining or phase‑controlled architectures.
• Work as optical design lead on cross‑functional projects to achieve required technical feasibility. Team members may include mechanical, electronic, and industrial engineers.
• Identify and interact with external suppliers for sourcing components or systems required for prototype builds and new products, including phase modulators, and CBC‑qualified micro‑optics.
• Design optical systems, including micro‑optics, to condition laser diode beams for free‑space, fiber‑coupled, and coherently combined products.
• Perform tolerance, athermal, and phase‑sensitivity analysis of optical systems for defense‑qualified environments and coherent beam combining stability.
• Develop assembly methods for micro‑and macro‑optical assemblies for prototype and volume manufacturing, including phase‑controlled optical paths for CBC systems.
• Design, configure, build, and validate optical test setups to confirm optical performance of products, including coherent combining efficiency, M², and phase‑locking behavior. Communicate results to project team and customers.
• Analyze test data and generate test reports for presenting to customers, including coherent combining efficiency, phase error budgets, and stability metrics.
• Work closely with optical technicians to develop precision alignment, test, and characterization methods for assembly of optical systems and subsystems, including interferometric and phase‑locking setups.
• Monitor and/or perform optical system or device characterization of new products, including coherent beam combining modules and phase‑controlled subsystems.
• Document new assembly and test processes for transferring know‑how to other team members.

Desired

Skills:

• Experience developing micro‑and macro‑optical assembly methods for prototype and volume manufacturing, including phase‑controlled optical paths.
• Background designing, configuring, and validating optical test setups for high‑power laser systems, including measurements such as coherent combining efficiency, M², and phase‑locking behavior.
• Familiarity with coherent beam combining concepts and related phase‑controlled subsystems.
• Working knowledge of high‑power laser diodes, micro‑optics, illumination optics, fiber‑coupled modules, or fiber‑laser systems.
• Experience collaborating with optical suppliers and selecting materials/components for advanced optical assemblies, including polarization‑controlled micro‑optics, and other CBC‑related elements.
• Proficiency with analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python for modeling propagation, phase‑control loops, or coherent combining architectures.
• Strong knowledge of Zemax with extensive experience in sensitivity analysis, tolerancing, and athermalization for system and subsystem designs.
• Hands‑on knowledge of laser systems, optical inspection, alignment, and attachment methodologies.
• Must have good communication skills—written and presentation.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a minimum of a BS degree in Optics (MS/PhD preferred) with at least 7 years’experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in design, manufacture, and assembly of optical systems/optical components/micro‑optics.
• This position is located in the United States and will require use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms…