nLIGHT
Optical Engineer - High Power Fiber Amplifiers
TLDR
This role focuses on ensuring manufacturing readiness and product-level process improvements for high-power fiber laser systems during their transition to production.
Who We Are
At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a massively growing market. We are a leading provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications, to name a few. Our lasers are changing not only the way things are made, but also changing the things that can be made.
Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).
Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Optical Engineer with experience supporting complex opto-mechanical or electro-optical systems through the full product lifecycle. This role focuses on the transition of high-power fiber laser systems from development into production, with a strong emphasis on manufacturing readiness, quality oversight of non-compliant builds, and product-level process improvements. A solid understanding of optical systems is important, but deep laser design expertise is not required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own product health for released fiber laser platforms: monitor yield, reliability, and field returns (RMA).
- Lead root cause investigations and coordinate rework plans for non-compliant material (NCM) and RMAs; partner with Quality and Process Engineering to implement fixes.
- Support laser system integration and performance validation in development builds.
- Define and oversee product-level stress screening requirements (e.g., thermal, vibration, burn-in) in coordination with test and reliability teams to ensure early detection of latent defects.
- Collaborate with R&D on design improvements and ensure manufacturability of new features.
- Review production data and feedback to identify trends and suggest design or process changes.
- Maintain working knowledge of system architecture, performance specifications, and the parameters most critical to quality and reliability.
- Assist in defining qualification plans, product specs, and DFX reviews for NPI efforts.
- Interface with Supply Chain to troubleshoot material issues and support cost reduction initiatives.
- Communicate technical updates to cross-functional teams, including Operations, QA, and Sales.
Required Qualifications:
- BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 3–7 years of experience in product engineering, manufacturing engineering, or NPI roles supporting complex systems (e.g., lasers, optics, electronics, or aerospace hardware).
- Experience with production ramp support, failure analysis, and managing RMAs/NCMs.
- Practical experience with NPI or sustaining engineering support in a production setting.
- Familiarity with root cause analysis tools and methods (e.g., 8D, Fishbone/Ishikawa, FMEA).
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with evolving requirements.
- Effective communicator across technical and non-technical teams.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with high-power lasers for defense or aerospace applications.
- Familiarity with SolidWorks, ERP systems, and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL).
- Working knowledge of reliability engineering, laser safety standards, and test automation.
nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Starting pay depends on qualifications:
- Optical Engineer I: $85,000 - $98,000
- Optical Engineer II: $90,000 - $115,000
- Senior Optical Engineer: $103,000 - $135,000
Other Compensation and Benefits
- Target Cash Bonus of 5% of earned wages (6% for senior level)
- Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
- 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
- 10 paid Holidays
- Eligible for health benefits on the 1st day of the month after your start date
- Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
- Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Aflac Supplemental Insurance
- Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Pet Insurance
nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. To qualify for this position, you must be a US Person (that is, a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status).
Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_eeoc_knowyourrights6.12screenrdr.pdf">Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (360) 566-4460 or [email protected].
E-Verify Participation:
nLIGHT participates in the E-Verify program. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
For more information, please review the following notices:
Benefits
Equity Compensation
Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
Health Insurance
Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance Program
Paid Time Off
4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
nLIGHT is a premier provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers, catering to industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications. We specialize in cutting-edge laser technology and are also a leader in developing Directed Energy systems for the Department of Defense, delivering high-performance solutions in a rapidly growing market.