Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

LEAD ENGINEER - PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - Laser Development Engineer - Boulder, CO

Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in relevant engineering field with a focus on lasers.
  • 8+ years in optics modeling and development for laser systems using optical design software.
  • 7+ years of experience in laser operation for multiple laser types and components.
  • 3+ years of experience designing laser systems and managing verification processes.
  • Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with scientists to design and test laser-based instrumentation.
  • Operate, maintain, and align high-power lasers including various types.
  • Lead design and fabrication of optomechanical systems and interface with vendors.
  • Collect experimental data in an optical lab environment.
  • Perform maintenance on laser systems, including minor electronics repair.

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance options available.
  • Retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
  • Paid time off, including vacation and holidays.
  • Professional development opportunities and training.
  • Flexible work schedules and potential for remote work.
Full Job Description
Objectives of this Role:

  • Participate in the research and development of experimental, laser-based, spaceflight instrumentation enabling scientific investigations across the Solar System.
  • Contribute to the design, development, and hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of instrumentation systems from concept to flight instrument delivery.
  • Support the division in cutting edge research involving pulsed lasers, mass spectrometry and high-speed data acquisition systems.
  • Provide expert engineering for selection, operation, and maintenance of laser systems.
  • Experience in laser safety for all wavelengths, lab safety, HV safety, chemical safety, and vacuum safety


Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

  • Work with scientific personnel to design, build, and test laser-based instrumentation. This includes operating, maintaining, and aligning high power lasers including diode fiber lasers, YAG lasers, OPO lasers, TiS lasers, fs-lasers, and optical/laser design.
  • Hands-on work with ultra-high vacuum systems, pressurized gases, cryogens and high-voltage systems.
  • Lead the design, fabrication and performance validation of various optomechanical systems and interfacing with external vendors to procure instrumentation hardware, system sub-components and laboratory test equipment.
  • Experimental data collection in an optical laboratory environment.
  • Maintenance to include working with flash lamps, minor electronics repair, cooling system maintenance and repair, and the ability to set up laser control through timing boxes and LabVIEW control.


Requirements:

  • Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Quantum Engineering or other related engineering degree field with relevant focus on lasers. Advanced degrees will be considered in lieu of some years of related industry work experience.
  • 8+ years: Optics modeling and development for laser systems. Experience with optical design software (ZEMAX or similar).
  • 7+ years: Laser operation and engineering for one or more of the following: diode lasers, external cavity lasers, laser optical systems and components, laser spectrometers, laser diffraction and vis/NIR detectors.
  • 3+ years: Design of laser systems to requirements, verification planning, and execution.
  • A valid/clear driver's license is required.


Special Requirements:

Work assignment is in Boulder, Colorado.

Job Locations: Boulder, Colorado

Salary Range: $117,894.00 - $220,126.00

For more information about this division, visit the Solar System Science & Exploration home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here .
For benefits information at all other locations, click here .

About Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a non-profit research and development organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The institute was founded in 1947 and has since grown to employ over 3,000 people across multiple locations in the United States. SwRI provides research and development services to a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and energy. The institute's research areas include automation and data systems, chemistry and chemical engineering, and space science and engineering. SwRI has a long history of working with government agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense, as well as private companies.
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