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Laser Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Principal Laser Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$139K - $231K/yr

... engineering team as a Principal Laser Engineer . In this position, you will build prototypes and ... Serve as a technical expert for theoptical design of fiber-based and free space lasers. Execute ...

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Principal Laser Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$139K - $231K/yr

... engineering team as a Principal Laser Engineer . In this position, you will build prototypes and ... Serve as a technical expert for the optical design of fiber-based and free space lasers. Execute ...

Koch Industries

Principal Laser Diode Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$180K - $300K/yr

The Principal Laser Diode Engineer will be responsible for laser design, driving selection, performance, and reliability assurance of semiconductor lasers inside Molex's products. This role involves ...

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Laser Design Engineer information

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How much do laser design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for laser design engineer in the United States is $112,096.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,500.00 and $161,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Infographic showing various Laser Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,096 per year, or $53.9 per hour.

LEAD ENGINEER - PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - Laser Development Engineer - Boulder, CO

Boulder, CO • On-site

Southwest Research Institute
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Southwest Research Instituteexternal

$117K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Southwest Research Institute rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Who We Are:
As a recognized leader in space science research and spacecraft instrumentation, avionics, and electronics, we work to reveal the secrets of our solar system and the universe.
Objectives of this Role:
  • Participate in the research and development of experimental, laser-based, spaceflight instrumentation enabling scientific investigations across the Solar System.
  • Contribute to the design, development, and hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of instrumentation systems from concept to flight instrument delivery.
  • Support the division in cutting edge research involving pulsed lasers, mass spectrometry and high-speed data acquisition systems.
  • Provide expert engineering for selection, operation, and maintenance of laser systems.
  • Experience in laser safety for all wavelengths, lab safety, HV safety, chemical safety, and vacuum safety

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:
  • Work with scientific personnel to design, build, and test laser-based instrumentation. This includes operating, maintaining, and aligning high power lasers including diode fiber lasers, YAG lasers, OPO lasers, TiS lasers, fs-lasers, and optical/laser design.
  • Hands-on work with ultra-high vacuum systems, pressurized gases, cryogens and high-voltage systems.
  • Lead the design, fabrication and performance validation of various optomechanical systems and interfacing with external vendors to procure instrumentation hardware, system sub-components and laboratory test equipment.
  • Experimental data collection in an optical laboratory environment.
  • Maintenance to include working with flash lamps, minor electronics repair, cooling system maintenance and repair, and the ability to set up laser control through timing boxes and LabVIEW control.

Requirements:
  • Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Quantum Engineering or other related engineering degree field with relevant focus on lasers. Advanced degrees will be considered in lieu of some years of related industry work experience.
  • 8+ years: Optics modeling and development for laser systems. Experience with optical design software (ZEMAX or similar).
  • 7+ years: Laser operation and engineering for one or more of the following: diode lasers, external cavity lasers, laser optical systems and components, laser spectrometers, laser diffraction and vis/NIR detectors.
  • 3+ years: Design of laser systems to requirements, verification planning, and execution.
  • A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:
Work assignment is in Boulder, Colorado.
Job Locations: Boulder, Colorado
Salary Range: $117,894.00 - $220,126.00
For more information about this division, visit the Solar System Science & Exploration home page.
For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here .
For benefits information at all other locations, click here .
An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.

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