Electrical Engineer

VU Talent Partners • San Francisco, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Aurelius Systems is a directed energy company developing edge-deployed laser systems for cUAS applications. We shoot down drones with laser guns. The future of warfare will involve large numbers of small-scale and mass-manufacturable drones, and we aren’t prepared to defend our country from these threats abroad or domestically. Aurelius Systems has set out to address this problem by equipping the US and our allies with the systems they need to fight current and future conflicts in a scalable and cost-effective manner. We are seeking an experienced Senior Laser Systems Engineer to architect, develop, and validate beam‑delivery and targeting subsystems for our next‑generation defense laser platforms. You will lead end‑to‑end beam‑train design, automated aiming, and materials‑testing efforts across pulsed and CW regimes, progressing from lab prototype to field‑deployed hardware.

Requirements

• 4–7 years in high‑power or directed‑energy laser development, optical‑train engineering, or related fields
• Must be able to obtain a security clearance
• Deep expertise in optical design software (Zemax, Code V) and CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo).
• Hands‑on experience with high‑power coatings, mirror mounts, and fiber‑optic interfaces.
• Proven track record of ablation testing and damage‑threshold characterization.
• Familiarity with both pulsed and CW laser architectures, wavelength trade‑offs, and safety standards.
• BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Strong analytical mindset, collaborative communication, and problem‑solving under experimental constraints.

Nice To Haves

• Field‑deployed laser systems experience (DoD or industrial optics).
• Background in optical fiber handling and splice qualification.
• Experience with environmental qualification testing (vibration, thermal shock).
• Familiarity with laser safety (ANSI Z136) and ITAR regulations.

Responsibilities

• Design and assemble the end‑to‑end optical path—including coatings, mirrors, fiber/optics interfaces, and alignment fixtures—to meet power and beam‑quality specifications.
• Develop and integrate laser‑aiming subsystems, combining optomechanics and control‑system hooks for precision tracking and dwell control.
• Plan and execute material ablation experiments, characterize damage thresholds, and iterate on optical and mechanical designs to optimize performance and durability.
• Conduct comparative analyses of various laser operation, leading wavelength‑selection campaigns considering efficacy, safety, and supply‑chain constraints.
• Partner with controls, mechanical, and sensor teams to synchronize beam outputs with targeting data and ensure system‑level integration.
• Drive rapid bench‑prototype builds through range‑testing cycles (dry‑runs, live engagements), capturing performance data to refine optical and mechanical designs.
• Produce comprehensive technical reports, optical alignment procedures, and test‑plan documentation; present findings to stakeholders and update design specifications accordingly.

Benefits

• Drive innovation in cutting-edge directed energy defense technology.
• Contribute directly to national security with robust and scalable hardware solutions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior