Senior Laser Scientist - New Product Introduction

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

1d•$125,000 - $175,000

About The Position

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Senior Laser Scientist, New Product Introduction, to help build the company’s technical foundation in a fast-paced startup environment. This hands-on role develops new laser systems and semiconductor gain media from concept through prototype and early productization, while establishing engineering practices that support the company’s growth. The position works closely with leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams. Access to export-controlled information is required; employment is contingent on the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). The role defines optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements; evaluates and selects architectures based on performance, manufacturability, and cost; and supports design transfer to production. It spans external-cavity lasers, fiber lasers and amplifiers, and semiconductor laser architectures. The scientist performs and guides optical modeling, cavity and mode-control design, linewidth and noise optimization, and wavelength tuning and stabilization, and designs experiments to characterize laser performance and environmental sensitivity. The role also mentors engineers, sets technical direction and best practices, and contributes to documentation, invention disclosures, and publications. The expected annual salary range is $125,000–$175,000. This is a full-time position with a 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off). Eligible employees receive Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field; exceptional MS candidates may be considered.
At least 8 years of hands-on experience designing and building laser systems.
Expertise in at least two of the following: semiconductor laser design and physics; semiconductor laser diodes/gain media and the commercial semiconductor manufacturing industry; external-cavity laser architectures; fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers.
Strong understanding of laser physics and cavity dynamics, noise processes (linewidth, phase noise, RIN), and thermal effects and opto-mechanical stability.
Proven experience taking laser concepts from lab demonstration to robust prototype.
Comfort working hands-on in a laboratory, including optical benches, fiber splicing, and diagnostics.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), because the position requires access to export-controlled information.
Creative and flexible, willing to wear multiple hats, passionate about building systems from the ground up, and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

Nice To Haves

Experience with semiconductor laser diodes and laser diode manufacturing.
Experience with narrow-linewidth, low-noise, or widely tunable lasers.
Background in telecommunications, LIDAR, sensing or metrology, or quantum, atomic, or coherent optical systems.
Familiarity with PIC-based lasers or hybrid integration.
Familiarity with control loops, frequency locking, and stabilization techniques.
Familiarity with reliability, lifetime testing, and environmental qualification.
Track record of patents or high-impact publications.

Responsibilities

Define optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements for new laser systems and semiconductor gain media.
Drive technology trade studies and select architectures based on performance, manufacturability, and cost.
Interface with suppliers to foster collaborations that produce quality laser components.
Contribute to development of new laser platforms from concept through prototype and early productization.
Author technical documentation, invention disclosures, and peer-reviewed publications as appropriate.
Support transition of designs to production, including design for test and design for manufacturability.
Contribute to laser design across external-cavity lasers (free-space and fiber-based), fiber lasers and amplifiers, and semiconductor lasers (DFB, DBR, FP, and ECL gain chips).
Perform and guide optical design and modeling; cavity design, mode control, linewidth and noise optimization; and wavelength tuning, stabilization, and control.
Design and execute experiments to characterize linewidth, phase noise, RIN, SMSR, tuning range, power, efficiency, and sensitivity to temperature, vibration, and aging.
Mentor senior and junior engineers and set technical direction and best practices.
Collaborate with photonics integration and packaging teams, electronics and control systems engineers, and reliability and manufacturing engineering.