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Laser Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Tokai Carbon GS

Manufacturing Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

$70K - $91K/yr

Program and operate laser tracking systems for large-part inspection, alignment, machine ... Partner with Quality Engineering to define critical-to-quality features, measurement methods, and ...

IDEX Corporation

Lead Metrology Engineer

West Henrietta, NY · On-site

$98K - $129K/yr

Lead Engineer - Metrology Engineering Semrock Optical Filters, IH&S Position Summary ITAR/EAR ... Lasers, LEDs, and broadband (white-light) sources * Radiometric and photometric power measurements

IDEX

Lead Metrology Engineer

West Henrietta, NY · On-site

$98K - $129K/yr

Lead Engineer - Metrology Engineering Semrock Optical Filters, IH&S Position Summary ITAR/EAR ... Lasers, LEDs, and broadband (white-light) sources * Radiometric and photometric power measurements

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All JobsLaser Engineer JobsLaser Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Laser Engineer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$40K

$110.6K

$185.5K

How much do laser engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for laser engineer in Rochester, NY is $110,601.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,600.00 and $159,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a laser engineer?

A laser engineer is a type of electrical engineer who specializes in equipment that makes lasers and lasers themselves, sometimes in specialty areas such as advanced optics. As a laser engineer, your job duties include monitoring the laser systems, optimizing the output of the lasers, and researching issues with the performance of the lasers. You may also be required to develop documentation on how to operate and maintain the equipment and train other technicians. To begin a career in this role, you need the same qualifications and skills required of an electrical engineer, as well as experience in the use, operation, and maintenance of laser equipment.

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

To thrive as a Laser Engineer, you need a solid background in physics, optics, and engineering principles, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field. Familiarity with laser simulation software, CAD systems, and relevant safety certifications are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These skills ensure the safe and efficient design, development, and maintenance of advanced laser systems for various applications.

What are some common challenges faced by laser engineers when working on new laser system designs?

Laser Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining beam quality while increasing power output, managing thermal effects in laser components, and ensuring precise alignment of optical elements. Additionally, integrating lasers with other complex systems and meeting stringent safety standards can be demanding. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams—including mechanical, electrical, and software engineers—is essential to overcome these hurdles and deliver reliable, high-performance laser solutions.

What is the difference between Laser Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectLaser EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, physics, or related field; certifications in laser safety or opticsBachelor's or higher in optical engineering, physics, or related field; similar certifications in optics and laser safety
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing facilities, research centersResearch labs, manufacturing, product development, optical system design
Industry UsageLaser manufacturing, medical devices, defense, researchOptical systems, imaging, telecommunications, consumer electronics

Laser Engineers and Optical Engineers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, Laser Engineers focus specifically on laser systems, their design, and application, while Optical Engineers work broadly with optical components and systems, including lenses, fibers, and imaging devices. Both roles are vital in industries like manufacturing, research, and technology development, but Laser Engineers specialize in laser-specific technologies.

How much do laser engineers make in the US?

Laser engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and industry. Advanced skills in optics, CAD software, and certifications can lead to higher compensation, especially in specialized manufacturing or research environments.

What degree do you need to be a laser engineer?

Laser engineers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related field. Advanced roles may require a master's degree or higher, along with knowledge of optics, laser systems, and relevant software tools.

What do laser engineers do?

Laser engineers design, develop, and optimize laser systems used in manufacturing, medical devices, and scientific research. They work with optical components, electrical systems, and software, often requiring knowledge of physics, engineering principles, and safety protocols. Their tasks include testing, troubleshooting, and improving laser performance to meet specific application needs.
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Infographic showing various Laser Engineer job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $110,601 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Laser Sales Manager - Photonics & Quantum Technologies

Iris Scientific Inc.

Rochester, NY • On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position: Laser Sales Manager - Photonics & Quantum Technologies
Location: Rochester, NY (on-site preferred; must be within regular reach of the Rochester office)
Base Salary: $100,000-$150,000 plus uncapped commission
Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical premiums with funded HRA, dental, vision, 401(k) with 6% match
Start Date: ASAP (generally within 1-2 months)
Contact: Andrew Millar; andrew.millar@irisscientific.com; 647-205-7151
Iris Scientific is a specialty recruitment agency laser-focused on sales, marketing, and applications roles across the North American scientific instrumentation industry. We are working with a world-leading manufacturer of advanced laser systems to add an experienced Laser Sales Manager to their growing North American commercial team, based in Rochester, NY.
This is a technical sales role with real scientific substance - and real earning potential. The company's laser systems sit at the heart of the world's leading quantum computing, optical clock, and precision measurement programs, and demand is accelerating as quantum efforts scale from academic labs into commercial and government programs. The customer base runs from principal investigators at top research institutions and national labs to engineering and procurement teams at quantum and semiconductor companies. The selling is genuinely consultative: linewidth, stability, and power matched against demanding applications, in multi-stakeholder cycles that reward scientific credibility over scripted pitches.
We are looking for a proven technical salesperson with a physical sciences foundation. You've spent at least a couple of years carrying a territory or account base in photonics, lasers, optics, or scientific instrumentation - you know what a pipeline review feels like and you own your number without flinching - and you have the science background to hold a credible conversation with a physicist customer. An advanced degree (MSc or PhD) is preferred but not essential; a strong sales track record with a solid physical sciences foundation matters more. Direct quantum experience is a genuine plus, not a gate: if your customers have been research labs and technical buyers in an adjacent space, the company will invest in training you on the application space, including at their European headquarters.
The commercial platform is a strong one: a market-leading product line in one of photonics' fastest-growing verticals, a multi-million dollar territory potential, existing demand rather than a cold start, and an uncapped commission plan - the company's best performers earn more in commission than in base salary. Travel is a realistic 25-30%, varying month to month.
This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for someone who: wants their science background to be a commercial weapon rather than a footnote, is energized by owning a territory and a number, and wants a front-row seat as quantum technology moves from the optical table to the real world.
If this sounds like you - please get in touch.
About the Role:
As Laser Sales Manager, you will be a driving force behind the company's growth in the North American market. Operating in a tech-push environment, you'll own the full sales lifecycle across a diverse territory - identifying and developing opportunities across quantum computing, quantum sensing, and precision measurement, cultivating relationships from academic labs to commercial and government programs, and owning annual booking and revenue targets. You'll also act as the voice of the North American market, feeding customer insight and competitive intelligence back into product development, with ongoing technical training including visits to the company's European headquarters.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Own the full sales lifecycle for a North American territory, including complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles across academic, government, and commercial customers.
  • Build and manage a disciplined pipeline against annual booking and revenue targets, with proactive prospecting into new accounts and programs.
  • Act as the primary liaison between customer requirements and the company's engineering capabilities, identifying new opportunities and applications across the quantum and precision-measurement ecosystem.
  • Travel to customer sites to demonstrate product capabilities, proving that system specifications - linewidth, stability, power - meet the demands of specific applications.
  • Work with leadership to shape North American sales strategy, using market data to identify emerging opportunities as quantum programs scale from research to deployment.
  • Gather insight on emerging scientific trends and competitor activity to help shape the future product roadmap.
  • Commit to continuous technical learning, including training visits to the European headquarters.

Key Requirements:
  • 2+ years of demonstrated sales experience in photonics, lasers, optics, or scientific instrumentation - you have carried a territory, account base, or quota and can speak to your results.
  • Degree in physics, photonics, optics, chemistry, engineering, or a closely related physical sciences field; an advanced degree (MSc or PhD) is preferred but not required.
  • Experience selling to research-driven customers - universities, national labs, government programs, or technical/scientific buyers - strongly preferred.
  • Exposure to quantum, AMO physics, or precision-measurement customers is a genuine advantage, but not required; strong candidates from adjacent photonics and instrumentation markets are encouraged to apply.
  • Demonstrated ability to bridge scientific consulting and commercial value selling, with exceptional presentation skills.
  • Highly organized, with strong CRM discipline and data literacy.
  • Based within regular reach of Rochester, NY, or willing to relocate (relocation support available); fully remote arrangements are not available.
  • Willingness to travel approximately 25-30% to customer sites across North America and periodically to Europe.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States.

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