Senior Fiber Laser Systems Technician

Job Title

Senior Fiber Laser Systems Technician

Location

Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary)

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Fiber Laser Systems Technician to support the hands-on build, integration, and testing of advanced fiber laser systems in a research laboratory environment. This role is critical to the successful execution of both prototype development efforts and formal deliverable systems.

The technician will work closely with engineers and scientists, translating verbal direction, sketches, and partially defined procedures into high-quality hardware and repeatable lab work. This position is well-suited for a technician who has spent years in the lab, understands how research environments evolve, and takes pride in careful execution and mentoring through example.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently assemble and integrate fiber laser subsystems and multi-stage fiber amplifiers
• Perform complex fiber handling tasks including splicing, routing, and repair
• Align optical components and fiber paths with minimal supervision
• Support early-stage prototype builds where procedures may be incomplete or evolving
• Execute formal build, acceptance, and qualification testing for deliverable systems
• Interpret verbal instructions and informal documentation, and help translate them into repeatable build steps
• Identify build risks, workmanship issues, or design-for-assembly concerns and communicate them to the technical team
• Accurately document configurations, test results, and lab observations
• Maintain lab organization, tooling, and best practices
• Informally mentor junior technicians or new team members through example and guidance

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• 5 years of hands-on laboratory experience with fiber lasers, optical systems, or photonics hardware
• Demonstrated experience supporting R&D or prototype development programs
• Proven ability to work from verbal direction, sketches, and evolving requirements
• Strong understanding of fiber handling, optical alignment, and laser safety practices
• High attention to detail, workmanship, and documentation quality

Education

• Bachelor’s degree, Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience (Degree is less important than relevant laboratory experience.)

Desired Qualifications

• Experience transitioning systems from prototype builds to deliverable hardware
• Experience with formal acceptance or qualification testing
• Experience working in small research teams or government/defense-related programs
• Comfort serving as a “go-to” lab resource for build best practice

FIBERTEK, Inc. is a recognized leader in advanced lasers, lidars and laser communication systems providing our DoD, NASA and aerospace customers discriminating capabilities. We pride ourselves in our innovation and customer success focused culture enabled by a creative and relaxed work environment. Fibertek fosters a progressive learning environment that values inspiration, promotes professional challenge and encourages personal growth. We offer a competitive and incentivized compensation package with excellent benefits.

Fibertek, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual merit, skills, and experience. Fibertek does not engage in nor permits any discrimination in the workplace.