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Laser Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Laser Designer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $311K/yr

The Role and Impact As a Senior Laser Designer, you will play a pivotal role in developing advanced photonics components and integrating them into Silicon Photonic circuits to drive next-generation ...

Senior Laser Designer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $311K/yr

The Role and Impact As a Senior Laser Designer, you will play a pivotal role in developing advanced photonics components and integrating them into Silicon Photonic circuits to drive next-generation ...

Senior Laser Designer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $311K/yr

The Role and Impact As a Senior Laser Designer, you will play a pivotal role in developing advanced photonics components and integrating them into Silicon Photonic circuits to drive next-generation ...

Senior Laser Designer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $311K/yr

The Role and Impact As a Senior Laser Designer, you will play a pivotal role in developing advanced photonics components and integrating them into Silicon Photonic circuits to drive next-generation ...

The Role and Impact As a Senior Laser Designer, you will play a pivotal role in the simulation, design, and development of advanced photonics components such as lasers, and semiconductor optical ...

We're looking for laser design engineers to contribute to the designs of Gen 1 and 2 custom laser designs and the integration with the wafer-scale interposer. Ideal Background: An ideal candidate ...

We're looking for laser design engineers to contribute to the designs of Gen 1 and 2 custom laser designs and the integration with the wafer-scale interposer. Ideal Background: An ideal candidate ...

We're looking for laser design engineers to contribute to the designs of Gen 1 and 2 custom laser designs and the integration with the wafer-scale interposer. Ideal Background: An ideal candidate ...

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Laser Designer information

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$10

$41

$100

How much do laser designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for laser designer in the United States is $41.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $58.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a laser designer?

Laser Designers are professionals who specialize in creating, developing, and optimizing laser systems for various applications such as manufacturing, medical devices, research, or entertainment. They work with optical components, electronics, and software to design laser devices that meet specific technical requirements. Their responsibilities may include prototyping, testing, and improving laser systems, as well as ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Laser Designers often have backgrounds in physics, engineering, or optics, and use advanced tools to model and simulate laser behavior.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a laser designer?

To thrive as a Laser Designer, you need a strong background in optics, physics, and engineering, often supported by a relevant degree such as electrical engineering or applied physics. Proficiency with CAD software, optical simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards and laser safety certifications is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help ensure innovative and precise laser system designs. These competencies are crucial for developing reliable, efficient, and safe laser solutions in advanced technology sectors.

What are some typical challenges a laser designer might encounter when working on new projects?

Laser Designers often face the challenge of balancing optimal performance requirements with manufacturability and cost constraints. Collaborating closely with optical engineers, mechanical designers, and manufacturing teams is essential to ensure that the laser system meets both technical specifications and production feasibility. Additionally, staying current with rapidly evolving laser technologies and adhering to strict safety standards can add complexity to daily tasks. Proactive problem-solving and effective communication with cross-functional teams are key skills for overcoming these hurdles.

What is the difference between Laser Designer vs Laser Technician?

AspectLaser DesignerLaser Technician
CredentialsTypically requires design or engineering background, certifications in CAD or laser systemsRequires technical training, certifications in laser operation and safety
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, manufacturing facilities, or custom shopsManufacturing plants, repair shops, or installation sites
Job FocusCreating laser designs, planning projects, selecting equipmentOperating, maintaining, troubleshooting laser equipment
Industry UsageDesign and manufacturing sectors, custom fabricationProduction, maintenance, and repair in laser-based industries

Laser Designers focus on creating and planning laser projects, while Laser Technicians handle the operation and maintenance of laser equipment. Both roles require specialized certifications and are integral to laser industry workflows, but they differ in daily responsibilities and skill sets.

What states have the most Laser Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Laser Designer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Laser Designer jobs?

For Laser Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Laser Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,906 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Senior Laser Designer

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Intel Corporation
Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

$164K - $311K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Intel rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Details:
Job Description:
The world is transforming - and so is Intel. Intel is a company of bold and curious inventors and problem solvers who create some of the most astounding technology advancements and experiences in the world. With a legacy of relentless innovation and a commitment to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth, our diverse and brilliant teams are continually searching for tomorrow's technology and revel in the challenge that changing the world for the better brings. We work every single day to design and manufacture silicon products that empower people's digital lives.
The Role and Impact
As a Senior Laser Designer, you will play a pivotal role in developing advanced photonics components and integrating them into Silicon Photonic circuits to drive next-generation optical communication solutions. Your daily responsibilities will include designing, simulating, and optimizing DFB lasers while advancing methodologies for performance validation and reliability testing. Your contributions will have a direct impact on Intel's ability to deliver cutting-edge technology in data centers and AI applications.
Business Group
Intel's Integrated Photonics Solutions (IPS) team leads the industry in silicon photonics integration, focusing on scalable high-volume manufacturing and delivering transformative bandwidth and speed for data centers. As part of this innovative group, you will help design and develop photonics components that support Intel's broader commitment to driving technological advancements and enabling future growth in optical communications.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, simulate, and optimize DFB lasers for high-speed optical communication applications.
  • Perform tolerance analysis to enhance device performance, power efficiency, and reliability.
  • Lead test chip execution, including design layout, tapeout, validation, and data analysis.
  • Develop and refine photonic modeling methodologies and propose new testing approaches.
  • Conduct research in emerging photonic technologies to define next-generation architectures and initiate intellectual property development programs.
  • Analyze test data from component characterizations to identify performance gaps and implement improvement strategies.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of photonics components into system-level designs.

Qualifications:
You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates. Experience listed below would be obtained through a combination of your degree, research and or relevant previous job and or internship experiences.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in a relevant field such as Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline with 6+ years of relevant experience OR Ph.D. with 4+ years of industry expertise.
  • Extensive experience in designing and simulating DFB lasers including InP epi design.
  • Industrial experience developing DFB lases in high volume manufacturing, including taking designs through product qualification.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Project leadership experience.
  • Expertise in analyzing photonic component or integrated circuit (PIC) test data using statistical tools such as JMP or data libraries in MATLAB/Python.
  • Matlab programing experience
  • Familiarity with industry-standard layout tools like Cadence and KLayout for component design and test chip execution.
  • System-level modeling expertise for optimizing optical link performance and scalability.
  • Published research in peer-reviewed journals focused on photonics technologies.

We are seeking driven innovators passionate about shaping the future of photonics technology. If you are excited to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in silicon photonics, we encourage you to apply and explore the opportunity to join our team.
Job Type:
Experienced Hire
Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)
Primary Location:
US, California, Santa Clara
Additional Locations:
Posting Statement:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.
Position of Trust
N/A
Benefits
We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.
Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $164,470.00-311,890.00 USD
The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Work Model for this Role
This role will require an on-site presence. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

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About Intel

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Intel strives to make every facet of semiconductor manufacturing state-of-the-art -- from semiconductor process development and manufacturing, through yield improvement to packaging, final test and optimization, and world class Supply Chain and facilities support. Employees in the Technology and Manufacturing Group are part of a worldwide network of design, development, manufacturing, and assembly/test facilities, all focused on utilizing the power of Moore's Law to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1968