Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Join Monarch Quantum’s fast-paced team as Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer. As the company scales production of laser light engines for quantum computers and integrates them into full quantum computer systems, this hands-on individual-contributor role will build laboratory operations and safety practices from the ground up. The role works closely with leadership and technical teams in a fluid startup environment, supporting cleanroom operations, laboratory safety, and laser regulatory compliance. The position oversees operational supplies and protocols across five cleanrooms, environmental monitoring, cleaning vendors, and hazardous materials management. It also serves as Monarch Quantum’s Laser Safety Officer, administering the occupational laser safety program for Class 3B and Class 4 laser systems and ensuring that commercial laser light engines meet applicable U.S. and international product safety requirements. The role maintains safety and operational documentation, provides training, and collaborates with engineering and scientific staff as laboratory work scopes and configurations change. This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical/Materials Science, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with at least 3 years of direct hands-on experience operating cleanrooms, optics laboratories, or semiconductor/hardware production environments; extensive experience may substitute for a college degree.
Formal Laser Safety Officer training completed through a recognized provider, such as a Laser Institute of America or ANSI Z136-compliant curriculum.
Practical operational knowledge of ISO 14644 cleanroom standards, airflow management, and airborne optical particle counters.
Deep understanding of ANSI Z136.1 safe laser use, hazard calculations including Maximum Permissible Exposure and Nominal Hazard Zone, and optical beam safety.
Working knowledge of FDA/CDRH accession reporting under 21 CFR Part 1040 and IEC 60825-1 product safety requirements for laser-containing equipment.
Hands-on proficiency with hazardous waste manifest management, chemical segregation, spill containment, and Cal/OSHA occupational compliance.
Vendor management skills for specialized janitorial services, hazardous waste disposal, and cleanroom supply chains.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Creative, flexible, and comfortable taking on multiple responsibilities, building systems from the ground up, and working amid ambiguity and change.
Employment requires U.S.-person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), because the role requires access to export-controlled information.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of operational cleanroom and laboratory safety experience in a commercial optics, photonics, or quantum computing environment.
Active Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) credential issued by the Board of Laser Safety.

Responsibilities

Maintain supplies of cleanroom consumables, PPE, and safety and hygiene inventory across all five cleanrooms.
Enforce and monitor cleanroom operational protocols, gowning discipline, and contamination-control standards.
Coordinate, perform, and log routine airborne particle measurements and environmental monitoring to maintain cleanroom classification standards.
Manage and schedule routine and deep-cleaning services with external facility cleaning vendors.
Manage hazardous chemicals throughout their lifecycle, including chemical inventory logs, SDS records, sharps handling, and hazardous waste disposal in accordance with Cal/OSHA and California DTSC standards.
Work with engineering and scientific staff to adapt laboratory layouts and provide operational support as work scopes and experimental configurations change.
Serve as the company’s Laser Safety Officer and administer the occupational laser safety program for assembly, alignment, and testing of Class 3B and Class 4 laser systems.
Specify, install, and audit optical safety infrastructure, including interlocks, optical curtains and barriers, beam dumps, laser safety eyewear, and facility signage.
Develop, deliver, and document laser safety and hazardous materials training for technical personnel, contractors, and visitors.
Drive OEM laser regulatory compliance for commercial products, ensuring laser light engines meet FDA/CDRH requirements under 21 CFR 1040.10/1040.11 and international requirements under IEC 60825-1.
Maintain clear documentation for safety protocols, laser hazard evaluations (MPE and NOHD), cleanroom logs, and regulatory filing records.
Work independently and collaboratively, communicate proactively with the manager, project engineer, and teammates, and support accuracy, data integrity, best practices, and clear documentation.
Develop competency through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative.