Demo

Scientist IV

Lensa
San Diego, CA Part Time
POSTED ON 12/25/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/22/2026
Lensa is a career site that helps job seekers find great jobs in the US. We are not a staffing firm or agency. Lensa does not hire directly for these jobs, but promotes jobs on LinkedIn on behalf of its direct clients, recruitment ad agencies, and marketing partners. Lensa partners with DirectEmployers to promote this job for General Atomics. Clicking "Apply Now" or "Read more" on Lensa redirects you to the job board/employer site. Any information collected there is subject to their terms and privacy notice.

52007BR

Company

General Atomics

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS’ expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Laser Scientist to join our Optical Technologies engineering team located in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

The Optical Technologies team is focused on the design, development, fabrication and integration of high energy laser systems, laser weapons systems, satellite systems, advanced technologies and advanced sensors that provide targeting, tracking and identification functionality. The ideal candidate for this position is a Laser Scientist who has a strong background in research and development activities.

Duties And Responsibilities

  • Determines technical objectives for solution(s) to advanced technical scientific problems.
  • Develop laser architectures to meet top-level performance metrics, incorporating laser energetics and thermal/opto-mechanical limitations.
  • Analyzes laser system performance, including laser energetics, diffraction modeling, beam propagation, beam quality and system efficiency.
  • Build and test developmental laser systems, including optical alignment and integration of electro-optical and opto-mechanical components.
  • Represents the organization as a prime technical contact within a scientific team for assigned project(s)/program(s).
  • May function in an advisory or leadership role for a project/program and provide direction and guidance to less experienced professional staff or team of professional staff.
  • Formulates plans and guides the development and implementation of scientific solution(s) including deployment, resource requirements, testing, documentation, integration and compliance and safety.
  • Plans and coordinates the maintenance of scientific solutions including, documentation, reporting, publishing, and making technical and other presentations to ensure viability of the solution(s) in an evolving environment.
  • Plans for future applications of solutions based on new developments in scientific technology.
  • Participates in or may lead the development of new or expansion of existing business opportunities.
  • May develop and/or perform advanced computational modeling of scientific phenomena.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job ID#:

52007BR

Job Category

Scientists

Travel Percentage Required

0% - 25%

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-Time Salary

State

California

Clearance Level

Secret

Pay Range Low

105,890

City

San Diego

Clearance Required?:

Desired

Pay Range High

189,545

Recruitment Posting Title

Laser Scientist

Job Qualifications

  • Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in a scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; six or more years experience with a Bachelors degree, four or more years experience with a Masters degree, and two or more with a PhD. Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
  • The ideal candidate has direct technical experience in working with high peak and/or average power laser systems, with preference given to expertise in either diode-pumped solid state or fiber laser technologies. A general knowledge of the working principles of diverse optical fields and technologies, including electro-optics, fiber optics, adaptive optics, and nonlinear optics is a plus.
  • Must have the ability to contribute at a high technical level in both hands-on experimental work and theoretical/modeling activities.
  • Must demonstrate; (1) a detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of scientific principles, concepts, theory, and practice; (2) the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones with some experience in project leadership; (3) have original work(s) published in professional scientific journals; and, (4) have been invited to present one or more original works in scientific symposia.
  • Must possess (1) the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; (2) excellent communication, computer, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other departments, customers, government representatives, and/or professionals; (3) the capability of representing the organization as a prime technical contact; (4) the ability to provide leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
  • Must also be customer focused; able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment; and, able to work extended hours and travel as required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance is required

US Citizenship Required?:

Yes

Experience Level

Mid-Level (3-7 years)

Relocation Assistance Provided?:

Yes

Workstyle

Onsite

General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. In accordance with applicable federal law, General Atomics takes affirmative action to employ and advance the employment of qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions. To learn more, please review the EEOC’s "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster.

If you have questions about this posting, please contact support@lensa.com

Salary : $105,890 - $189,545

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Scientist IV?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Scientist IV career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$145,337 - $174,569
Income Estimation: 
$153,127 - $203,425
Income Estimation: 
$139,626 - $193,276
Income Estimation: 
$164,650 - $211,440
Income Estimation: 
$130,030 - $173,363
Income Estimation: 
$112,363 - $146,135
Income Estimation: 
$153,127 - $203,425
Income Estimation: 
$139,626 - $193,276
Income Estimation: 
$164,650 - $211,440
Income Estimation: 
$130,030 - $173,363
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Lensa

  • Lensa Cheyenne, WY
  • Lensa is a career site that helps job seekers find great jobs in the US. We are not a staffing firm or agency. Lensa does not hire directly for these jobs,... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Lensa Pierre, SD
  • Lensa is a career site that helps job seekers find great jobs in the US. We are not a staffing firm or agency. Lensa does not hire directly for these jobs,... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Lensa Pierre, SD
  • Lensa is a U.S. career site that helps job seekers discover job opportunities. We are not a staffing firm or agency. We promote jobs on behalf of our clien... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Lensa Anchorage, AK
  • Lensa is a career site that helps job seekers find great jobs in the US. We are not a staffing firm or agency. Lensa does not hire directly for these jobs,... more
  • 14 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Scientist IV jobs in the San Diego, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Scientist Solana Beach, CA
  • Global Accounts Receivable Specialist Put your accounting expertise and analytical skills to work for the world's largest AI-powered R&D orchestration plat... more
  • 25 Days Ago

  • General Atomics Poway, CA
  • Job Details Job Summary General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotel... more
  • 19 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!