Laser Engineer - Manufacturing

Responsibilities

• Install, align, and commission laser sources, amplifiers, and associated stabilization hardware from approved designs; verify optical, electrical, cooling, and control interfaces.
• Set up and tune frequency and intensity stabilization; verify lock acquisition, stability, and recovery using approved methods.
• Measure optical power, frequency stability, linewidth and noise where required, beam quality, and polarization; compare results with agreed laser acceptance and SI&T handoff criteria.
• Diagnose loss of lock, power drift, coupling degradation, thermal sensitivity, and interface faults; work with Laser Engineering, controls, and subsystem teams on approved corrections.
• Develop acceptance tests and controlled work instructions with Manufacturing Engineering for setup, alignment, calibration, and routine maintenance; use test automation where practical.
• Maintain serial-number, configuration, calibration, and test records; document non-conformance and corrective actions.
• Support system integration and laser hardware corrections during QE testing. QEs own verification with atoms and final technical acceptance.
• Follow laser-safety, interlock, and contamination-control practices; coordinate technical support and repairs with laser suppliers.
• BS in physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience; advanced degree preferred.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience commissioning, stabilizing, characterizing, and troubleshooting precision laser systems.
• Experience transferring precision optical or scientific hardware from development into repeat builds preferred.

Experience & Education

Qualifications

• Practical experience with laser frequency or intensity stabilization, feedback control, and fault diagnosis.
• Hands-on free-space alignment, polarization control, fiber coupling, and handling of precision optical components.
• Proficiency with laser diagnostics such as wavemeters, photodiodes, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, and optical or RF spectrum analyzers.
• Ability to interpret optical layouts, electrical schematics, control interfaces, and test data; careful documentation and clear communication with engineers, physicists, and technicians.
• Experience with diode or fiber lasers, optical amplifiers, nonlinear frequency conversion, or atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) or neutral-atom hardware preferred.
• Python or equivalent tools for instrument control and data analysis preferred.
• Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!
• The base salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with diode or fiber lasers, optical amplifiers, nonlinear frequency conversion, or atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) or neutral-atom hardware preferred.
• Python or equivalent tools for instrument control and data analysis preferred.
• The base salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.