Chief Laser Engineer, Electro-Optics

Gooch & Housego•Highland Heights, OH

About The Position

The Chief Laser Engineer, Electro-Optics drives the design and development of electro-optics and nonlinear optics components and subsystems, from design and build through concept verification and performance testing. The role serves as a global technology and subject matter expert on linear and nonlinear optical devices and their applications in laser systems for aerospace and defense, life sciences, and industrial markets. The role owns and advances G&H’s electro-optics technology and science roadmap, identifies opportunities for profitable growth, and acts as custodian of the organization’s technical knowledge and expertise. It guides and mentors the team, develops its capabilities, and ensures technical knowledge is maintained and adapted to sector advances and trends. The position leads research and development and product development projects, contributes to product lifecycle planning, supports technical customer and business-development activity, and helps ensure successful transfer from design to production. The description notes that the duties are not exhaustive and that employees may undertake other reasonable, related tasks allocated by their line manager.

Requirements

At least a master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, or an equivalent field.
Hands-on laboratory experience developing and testing photonic devices.
Experience simulating and modelling in optics.
Meticulousness, diligence, discipline, and the capacity to work to deadlines and goals.
Passion for solving complex technical problems.
Inclination to adapt, absorb, and conduct substantial change.
Comfort interacting at all organizational levels and with customers.

Nice To Haves

Specialization in Electro-Optics, Non-Linear Optics, and/or material science.
Experience with Solidworks, Zemax, and/or ANSYS.
Understanding of assembly, integration, and testing of optical devices.
Familiarity with testing and qualification standards.

Responsibilities

Lead and deliver R&D and product development projects, considering product performance, material implications, and design for manufacture.
Design, develop, and validate new and variant electro-optics devices and SHG modules.
Own, drive, and manage the electro-optics technology roadmap to identify opportunities and achieve profitable revenue growth.
Lead engineering reviews and contribute substantially to product lifecycle planning.
Discover, inspire, and nurture innovation.
Identify and report technology trends and potential new applications of existing technology that could support business growth.
Lead or chair New Product Development gate reviews, showing physical design implementation and identifying and mitigating risks across mechanical, optical, hardware, manufacturing, and supply-chain interfaces.
Assess and challenge design work, output quality, and team skill levels.
Identify competing technologies and develop risk-mitigation strategies.
Maintain, extend, and safeguard G&H’s enabling electro-optics technologies.
Expand team skill sets and create new technical capabilities.
Promote intellectual property generation through new know-how and patents.
Identify new technologies and validate their relevance to G&H as a pipeline for new products.
Work with Sales and Business Development to support RFQs and RFIs with technical solutions.
Support seamless handover from design to production.
Participate in customer meetings and support Marketing with technical materials.
Support talent management, development, and succession-planning activities.