Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

2d•$135,000 - $180,000

About The Position

Monarch Quantum is seeking a hands-on Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer to build lab operations and safety foundations as the company scales production of laser light engines for quantum computers and integrates them into full quantum computer systems. This is a dynamic individual-contributor role for a self-starter comfortable in a fast-paced, fluid startup environment, working with cutting-edge quantum hardware and closely with leadership. The role oversees operations across five cleanrooms, including consumables and PPE supplies, cleanroom protocols, contamination control, environmental monitoring, cleaning vendors, and hazardous materials management. The position also serves as the company’s Laser Safety Officer, administering occupational laser safety for Class 3B and Class 4 systems and supporting regulatory compliance for manufactured laser light engines. The successful candidate will work independently and with multidisciplinary teams, maintain clear documentation, communicate proactively, and uphold accuracy and data integrity. Employment is contingent on being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), because the role requires access to export-controlled information.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical or Materials Science, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with at least 3 years of direct hands-on experience running operations in 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 knowledge of ISO 14644 cleanroom standards, airflow management, and airborne optical particle counters.
Deep understanding of ANSI Z136.1 safe use of lasers, 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.
Ability to work in a startup environment that involves ambiguity, change, flexibility, and wearing multiple hats.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) to access export-controlled information.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of operational cleanroom and lab 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 uninterrupted supplies of cleanroom consumables, PPE, and safety and hygiene inventory across all five cleanrooms.
Enforce, monitor, and oversee 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 from receipt through disposal, 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 Monarch Quantum’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 regulatory 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, including compliance with FDA/CDRH requirements (21 CFR 1040.10/1040.11) and IEC 60825-1.
Maintain documentation for safety protocols, laser hazard evaluations (MPE and NOHD), cleanroom logs, and regulatory filing records.
Work independently and collaboratively while communicating proactively with the manager, project engineer, and teammates.
Ensure accuracy of execution schedules and data, conformance to company practices, clear communication, and thorough documentation.