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Laser Physics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Access Laser Company

Laser Test Technician

Everett, WA · On-site

$27 - $37/hr

Founded in 1999, Access Laser is a leader in designing and manufacturing high-end CO2 lasers. We ... An associate degree in physics, optics, photonics, electronics technology, mechanical engineering ...

NSS

Laser Engineer

Herndon, VA

Required Skills and Experience * BS Physics, MS or PhD preferred with a minimum of 3 years of direct hands-on laser experience including design, building, characterizing laser systems. * Knowledge of ...

NSS

Laser Engineer

Herndon, VA

Required Skills and Experience * BS Physics, MS or PhD preferred with a minimum of 3 years of direct hands-on laser experience including design, building, characterizing laser systems. * Knowledge of ...

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$46.9K

$52.5K

How much do laser physics jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for laser physics in the United States is $46,902.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,500.00 and $50,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Laser Physicist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Laser Physicist, you need a strong background in physics, optics, and mathematics, typically supported by a Ph.D. or advanced degree in physics or a related field. Familiarity with laser systems, optical instrumentation, computational modeling, and safety protocols is essential, along with experience using tools like MATLAB or LabVIEW. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set outstanding professionals apart. These skills are crucial for advancing research, ensuring experimental accuracy, and collaborating effectively on complex scientific projects.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in laser physics research and development?

Professionals in laser physics often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex optical setups, maintaining precise alignment and calibration of laser systems, and addressing unexpected experimental results. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—such as engineers, material scientists, and software developers—is common, requiring strong communication and problem-solving skills. Additionally, keeping up with rapid technological advancements and ensuring safety standards in laboratory environments are ongoing aspects of the role.

What do laser physicists do?

Laser physicists study the principles and applications of lasers, which are devices that emit light through a process of optical amplification. Their work involves researching how lasers interact with matter, developing new laser technologies, and finding innovative uses for lasers in fields such as medicine, industry, telecommunications, and scientific research. Laser physicists often work in laboratories, designing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with engineers and other scientists to advance our understanding and usage of laser technology.

What is the difference between Laser Physics vs Optical Engineer?

AspectLaser PhysicsOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsPhysics degree, specialized laser certificationsEngineering degree, optics certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, laser manufacturingProduct development, optical system design, manufacturing
Industry UsageResearch institutions, laser companiesTech companies, aerospace, telecommunications

Laser Physics focuses on understanding and developing laser systems through research and theoretical work, while Optical Engineers apply optical principles to design and implement practical optical devices and systems. Both roles often overlap in industry and require similar educational backgrounds, but their primary focus differs: one on fundamental science, the other on application and engineering.

More about Laser Physics jobs
What cities are hiring for Laser Physics jobs? Cities with the most Laser Physics job openings:
What states have the most Laser Physics jobs? States with the most job openings for Laser Physics jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Laser Physics jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Laser Physics jobs are:
Laser Physics jobs near you
Principal Engineer, Laser Module Architect

Principal Engineer, Laser Module Architect

Ayar Labs

San Jose, CA • On-site

$200K - $260K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Principal Engineer, Laser Module Architect
Location: San Jose (on-site)
Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models.
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, Mediatek, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world's leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs' co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.
We are seeking a highly experienced and forward-thinking Laser Module Architect to define and drive next-generation laser technologies and system architectures. This role sits at the intersection of innovation and execution-shaping long-term technology strategy while enabling near-term product success. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in laser physics, system design, and cross-functional leadership to translate emerging technologies into scalable, manufacturable solutions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead system-level architecture development, converting product requirements into robust, scalable laser module solutions
  • Develop and own trade-off frameworks across performance, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and power to guide design decisions
  • Partner closely with Product Management to align specifications with market needs, while anticipating future platform evolution
  • Collaborate with Laser HW, FW/SW, silicon photonics, packaging, and system teams to deliver cohesive module architectures
  • Guide modeling, simulation, and early prototyping efforts to de-risk new technologies and validate architectural choices
  • Establish design guidelines, reference architectures, and best practices to enable reuse and scalability across multiple product generations
  • Act as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction across teams and driving alignment on critical decisions
  • Engage with external partners, vendors, and research communities to stay at the forefront of laser innovation
  • Define and drive the long-term laser technology roadmap, identifying and evaluating emerging architectures, components, and integration approaches

Required Qualifications
  • MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or related field
  • 10+ years of experience in laser design, optical systems, or photonics-based products
  • Deep understanding of laser architectures (e.g., DFB, EML, external cavity lasers, integrated lasers) and system-level trade-offs
  • Strong experience in modeling and simulation of laser systems and optical links
  • Proven track record of architecting and delivering complex hardware systems from concept to production
  • Experience working across hardware, firmware/software, and system teams

Preferred Qualifications
  • Ph.D.
  • Experience with silicon photonics integration and co-packaged optics
  • Familiarity with high-speed optical communication systems and standards
  • Background in reliability, manufacturing, and yield optimization for laser-based products
  • Experience in semiconductor or optoelectronics startup

Salary range: $200,000 - $260,000
NOTE TO RECRUITERS:
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don't send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.

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