Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead Laser Engineer – Provide optical engineering leadership to internally and externally funded R&D efforts, with a primary focus on dual-use platforms and advanced laser technology. Lead the design of complex, innovative, state-of-the-art, fiber and solid-state laser systems for commercial and military applications. Serve as the organization’s lead expert on advanced laser system controls.
• New-Business Development Efforts – Provide direction and technical support to new-business development efforts, including concept development, feasibility studies, proposal content development and presentation to customers.
• Laser modeling and simulation lead – Advance modeling capabilities in the areas of fiber and solid-state laser systems to improve performance predictions. Modeling to include all the physics of rare-earth-doped and nonlinear lasers and amplifiers, bulk- and fiber-optic cavity designs, and factors affecting their performance (e.g. optical nonlinearities, damage mechanisms, etc.) and control systems modeling. 
• Intellectual Property – Build Coherent’s IP portfolio by developing innovative optical features during prototype development.

Education & Experience

Minimum B.S. in engineering field or applied physics. M.S. or Ph.D. in optics, applied physics or electrical engineering preferred. 

Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree or 10 years and a Master’s degree or 7 years of experience with a Ph.D. or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 

Skills

• Must have successfully developed complex laser systems and have broad and deep experience in fiber- and bulk-optic laser design. Must be intimately familiar with the physics of rare-earth-doped lasers and amplifiers from the NIR to the SWIR, bulk- and fiber-optic cavity design and their components and with the effects limiting laser performance. 
• Must have knowledge in control systems, preferably applied to laser systems or opto-electronic sub-systems.
• Preferably has experience modeling fiber and bulk-optical lasers and amplifiers (e.g. gain shapes, noise figure, cavity designs, stability, dynamics) and modeling optical nonlinearities.
• Experience designing complex laser systems for military or space applications is strongly preferred.
• Experience with phased-gated developments and design for volume manufacturing is preferred.
• Preferably has experience with technology transfer, development of assembly instructions and low-rate initial production is desirable.
• Must be a self-starter, able to multi-task, work independently and collaboratively in a matrix managed organization.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in Intellectual Property matters is desirable. 
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a US Government security clearance if one is required to perform the job responsibilities.

Working Conditions

Primarily an engineering design and management function with office working conditions.

Physical Requirements

Primarily an engineering design and management function with few physical requirements.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State."