Sr. Principal Optical Engineer Level 5

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

12h•$165,000 - $225,000

About The Position

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Principal Optical Engineer. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows: Work independently and in a team while over communicating with the manager, project engineer, and the teammates. Execute complex engineering tasks involving planning, preparation, data/information collection, and analysis and decision-making in a process involving peer reviews and documentation of the results. Use tenacity, patience, self-discipline, and passion for excellence to assure accuracy of execution schedule, data quality/integrity, conformance to company best practices, clarity in communication, and documentation. Use every opportunity to grow competency through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative. Drive innovation in modeling, design, analysis, and alignment methods to support product roadmap. Perform laser system architecture trade studies with complex and interdependent performance requirements. Support business development with architecture concepts, feasibility analysis, and white paper writing. Support project engineering with project scope, schedule, and risk analysis.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Minimum of 14 years of relevant experience, ideally within a startup or technology company.
Extensive knowledge of various optical engineering topics coupled with a strong grasp of the standard curriculum for optical engineering degrees.
Thorough understanding of optical modeling techniques, including ray tracing, wave propagation, and electromagnetic solvers.
In-depth comprehension of laser beam propagation, including how movements and rotations of optics affect the beam's near-field, far-field, beam quality, and fiber coupling efficiency.
Proficient in designing to specific requirements: strategizing design efforts to meet innovative requirements, identifying optimal analysis methods for each requirement, and creating and validating new design and analysis techniques.
Insightful skills in assessing optical configurations for baseline performance, manufacturability, and associated risks.
Expertise in configuring complex laser modules using optical design software.
Skilled in quantitatively defining optics: including material characteristics, surface specifications, surface irregularities, roughness, mechanical limitations, coatings, power handling capabilities, environmental considerations, as well as testing and inspection protocols.
Solid understanding of tolerance analysis techniques pertinent to component manufacturing.
Comprehensive knowledge of fiber optics for high-power continuous-wave laser systems: including multi-mode, single-mode, polarization-maintaining, step-index, photonic crystal fibers, and endcaps.
Deep expertise in stray light analysis within laser systems.
Competence in methods for measuring and controlling laser intensity, frequency, and phase noise.
Ability to design electro-optics (such as modulators) and opto-electronics (such as detectors) for integration into laser systems.
Understanding of nonlinear optical phenomena: capable of predictive modeling for resonant and non-resonant harmonic generation, frequency conversion, and parametric amplification.
Proven ability to effectively execute engineering projects using design software (Ansys Zemax OpticStudio, Photon Engineering FRED, and/or Lambda Research OSLO preferred) and quantitative analysis/programming tools (such as Python), as well as with instrumentation and measurement, part fabrication or procurement, integration and testing, data gathering, and documentation.
Startup Mindset: You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

Responsibilities

Work independently and in a team while over communicating with the manager, project engineer, and the teammates.
Execute complex engineering tasks involving planning, preparation, data/information collection, and analysis and decision-making in a process involving peer reviews and documentation of the results.
Use tenacity, patience, self-discipline, and passion for excellence to assure accuracy of execution schedule, data quality/integrity, conformance to company best practices, clarity in communication, and documentation.
Use every opportunity to grow competency through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative.
Drive innovation in modeling, design, analysis, and alignment methods to support product roadmap.
Perform laser system architecture trade studies with complex and interdependent performance requirements.
Support business development with architecture concepts, feasibility analysis, and white paper writing.
Support project engineering with project scope, schedule, and risk analysis.