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Laser Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Stanfordlivetickets

Lead Scientist

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

LCLS, coupled with next-generation high-power laser drivers, offers a unique national platform for this science; it can provide high-fidelity validation of target physics, laser-matter coupling, and ...

Lumibird USA

Laser Technician

Bozeman, MT · On-site

$22.50 - $25/hr

LASER TECHNICIAN Drawing on 50 years of experience, Lumibird designs, manufactures, and distributes laser solutions for scientific, industrial, and medical use from its various sites in the USA and ...

IPG Photonics

Laser Engineer

Oxford, MA

PhD in Science or Engineering, preferably with 5+ years of directly-related industry experience * Design experience with lasers and complex optical systems, preferred is strong experience with fiber ...

IPG Photonics

Laser Engineer

Oxford, MA · On-site

PhD in Science or Engineering, preferably with 5+ years of directly-related industry experience * Design experience with lasers and complex optical systems, preferred is strong experience with fiber ...

Coherent

Laser Processing Engineer

Saxonburg, PA

College science lab and engineering project experience. Skills & Other Requirements * High ... Laser processing/material removal experience preferred but not required Working Conditions Office ...

NextGenEnergyJobs

D. in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Materials Science. * 8+ years in laser systems engineering, with 5+ years managing technical optical/process engineering teams. * Deep ...

LLNL

Laser System Operator

Livermore, CA · On-site

$20.75 - $26.50/hr

... advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our ... A NIF Laser System Operator is responsible for overseeing the real-time operation of laser beam ...

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Laser Scientist information

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$36.5K

$79.4K

$137.5K

How much do laser scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for laser scientist in the United States is $79,408.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $93,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a laser scientist do?

A Laser Scientist researches, develops, and applies laser technology for various fields, including medicine, manufacturing, defense, and telecommunications. They design and optimize laser systems, study light-matter interactions, and work on improving laser performance. Their role may also involve experimental testing, data analysis, and collaboration with engineers and physicists to develop new laser-based applications.

What does a typical day look like for a laser scientist?

A typical day for a Laser Scientist often involves designing experiments, setting up and calibrating laser equipment, and analyzing results to refine system performance. Collaboration with other scientists, engineers, and occasionally external partners is common, especially when developing prototypes or troubleshooting complex optical issues. Additionally, you may spend time documenting findings, writing technical reports, and staying updated on the latest research and safety protocols. The pace can be dynamic, with a mix of hands-on laboratory work, meetings, and data analysis, providing a stimulating and varied professional environment.

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

To thrive as a Laser Scientist, you need a solid background in physics, optics, and engineering, typically supported by a PhD or master's degree in a related scientific field. Experience with laser systems, optical instrumentation, and analytical software such as MATLAB or LabVIEW is highly valued, and certifications in laser safety can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and precise communication skills help you effectively conduct experiments and work with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for innovating safely and efficiently in the rapidly evolving field of laser technology.

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Laser Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Laser Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,408 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Laser-Processing Scientist

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Light Materials
See more jobs at Light Materialsexternal

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Nearly every material humanity uses at scale is cast from a liquid or cut from a solid. But the highest-performing materials — carbides, borides, diamond — don’t melt and can’t be cut, which leaves the most ambitious designs stuck in CAD. Light Materials is scaling up a process that grows finished, complex parts of these extreme materials, in shapes and compositions nobody else can produce — for vehicles that fly faster, engines that burn hotter, and chips that run cooler.

The role

We are looking for an outstanding experimentalist to own the science of our roboticized, laser-controlled, materials processing technology and help us scale it up. The process is new enough that basic questions are still open, and the answers translate directly into hardware — a rare regime where a good experiment can change what the machine does next month. The role is hands-on, multidisciplinary, and deeply technical, and it sits squarely on the company’s critical path: you’ll be responsible for building the physical insight that unlocks higher manufacturing throughputs, new applications, and complex geometries.

What you'll do
  • Operate our existing process, which uses laser optics and high-precision robotics to grow materials directly — and internalize its limits and opportunities
  • Build a suite of diagnostics (optics, online sensors, etc.) and run experiments to extend the process to higher throughputs, larger parts, new geometries, and different materials
  • Reconfigure software and hardware as needed to make prototype parts for early customers
  • Identify architectural tradeoffs and communicate them to the team
  • Set technical direction for subsequent generations of our machinery, iterating with our engineers to implement your concepts
What we're looking for
  • Ph.D. in physics, materials science, or engineering — or equivalent experience and interest
  • Strong hands-on experimental skills: you design, build, and run your own experiments
  • Excellent technical fundamentals
  • Experience with laboratory optics
  • Proficiency with common programming languages
  • A track record of taking on hard technical problems and delivering solutions
  • A fast pace and a desire to build something completely new
Nice to have experience with
  • CAD tools and 3D printing
  • CVD, PVD, epitaxy
  • GCMS
Logistics

All employees work in person at our R&D lab in Sunnyvale, CA. Competitive salary, meaningful equity, and full benefits.

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