Laser Engineer - High-Power Fiber Lasers

The role

This person will design, develop, and test high-power fiber laser sources and amplifiers for space-to-space laser power beaming. They will work on laser architecture, performance modeling, component selection, and assembly to support the Star Catcher Network.

What you will do

• Design and develop high-power fiber laser sources and amplifiers.
• Define laser architecture and requirements.
• Model laser and amplifier performance.
• Design and select components for high-power fiber lasers.
• Design, assemble, splice, and test high-power fiber lasers.
• Develop non-standard sources where needed.
• Work with Electrical Engineering, thermal, and beam-expander teams.
• Support the path to space qualification.
• Support technicians in laser build practices.
• Manage technical relationships with vendors.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience designing, building, and testing high-power fiber lasers or amplifiers.
• Fiber laser and amplifier design, including rate-equation modeling and laser physics.
• High-power fiber laser physics: thermal effects, photodarkening, nonlinear effects (SBS, SRS, SPM), TMI, and their mitigation.
• Design and selection of components for kW-class fiber lasers.
• Hands-on fusion splicing of large-mode-area and specialty fibers.
• Assembly and test of high-power fiber lasers.
• Beam-quality, spectral, and power characterization.
• Working knowledge of Class 4 laser safety practices.

Nice to have

• More experience than 3+ years
• Design or qualification of space-qualified lasers or amplifiers
• Thulium, Raman, or frequency-doubled fiber sources
• Spectral or coherent beam combining, or narrow-linewidth amplifiers
• Diode reliability, derating, and wavelength stabilization
• RP Fiber Power or equivalent commercial or custom fiber laser models
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Physics, Optics, or Laser Engineering

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent upon results of a thorough background check.
• Must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of St

About the company

Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space to power the orbital economy. They are building technology to wirelessly beam energy to spacecraft's existing solar panels.