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Ultrafast Laser Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ARA

Senior Laser Engineer 2

San Antonio, TX · On-site

Develop experimental architectures using CW and pulsed laser sources (e.g., solid-state, fiber, diode, ultrafast) tailored to mission-relevant applications. * Lead precision optical alignment, beam ...

Ara

Staff Laser Engineer 1

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$85 - $125/hr

Develop experimental architectures using CW and pulsed laser sources (e.g., solid‑state, fiber, diode, ultrafast) tailored to mission‑relevant applications. * Lead precision optical alignment ...

Marvel-Fusion-Gmbh

Controls Engineer (f/m/x)

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Exposure to high-power or ultrafast laser environments, accelerator facilities, or national lab settings. * Experience with timing and synchronization systems for pulsed laser or pulsed-power ...

New

Apple

Laser Specialist -Model Maker

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

The ADL is actively seeking a Laser Specialist to join our team. Problem-solving will be key in ... Ultrafast(Femtosecond) systems Journeyman level machine operation and setup in a prototyping ...

Marvel Fusion

Controls Engineer (f/m/x)

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Exposure to high-power or ultrafast laser environments, accelerator facilities, or national lab settings. * Experience with timing and synchronization systems for pulsed laser or pulsed-power ...

Marvel Fusion

Controls Engineer (f/m/x)

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$82K - $106K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Exposure to high-power or ultrafast laser environments, accelerator facilities, or national lab settings. * Experience with timing and synchronization systems for pulsed laser or pulsed-power ...

Thorlabs

Laser Technician III

Lafayette, CO

$24.72 - $35/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Laser Technician Level III is responsible for producing and testing advanced photonics products ... Perform optical alignment and verification of components used in ultrafast, quantum, and ruggedized ...

Thorlabs

Laser Technician III

Lafayette, CO · On-site

$24.72 - $35/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Laser Technician Level III is responsible for producing and testing advanced photonics products ... used in ultrafast, quantum, and ruggedized systems. • Record and maintain test data and ...

AOSense, Inc.

Optical Physicist

Fremont, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Ultrafast lasers and amplifiers * Laser frequency stabilization * Narrow-linewidth diode lasers * Integrated photonics design and fabrication * Micro-optic and diode chip assembly and packaging

AOSense, Inc.

Optical Physicist

Fremont, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Ultrafast lasers and amplifiers * Laser frequency stabilization * Narrow-linewidth diode lasers * Integrated photonics design and fabrication * Micro-optic and diode chip assembly and packaging

Apple Inc.

Laser Specialist -Model Maker

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$70.26 - $122.61/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Familiarity with lasers, up to/including Ultrafast (Femtosecond) systems * Journeyman level machine operation and setup in a prototyping environment - multiple disciplines of manufacturing experience ...

Apple

Laser Specialist -Model Maker

Sunnyvale, CA

$51.19 - $89.84/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

... Ultrafast(Femtosecond) systems Journeyman level machine operation and setup in a prototyping ... about laser technology Pay & Benefits At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation ...

AOSense, Inc.

Optical Physicist

Fremont, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Ultrafast lasers and amplifiers * Laser frequency stabilization * Narrow-linewidth diode lasers * Integrated photonics design and fabrication * Micro-optic and diode chip assembly and packaging

Big Science Sweden

NY · On-site

$72.45 - $93.15/hr

FemtoMAX is an ultrafast beamline on the Short Pulse Facility (SPF) at MAX IV, utilizing ... Developing laser timing tools. * Contribute to the research, dissemination and educational ...

New

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Ultrafast Laser information

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How much do ultrafast laser jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for ultrafast laser in the United States is $19.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ultrafast laser?

An ultrafast laser is a type of laser that emits extremely short pulses of light, typically in the femtosecond (10^-15 seconds) or picosecond (10^-12 seconds) range. These lasers are used for a variety of scientific, medical, and industrial applications, such as high-precision material processing, medical imaging, and fundamental research in physics and chemistry. Their ability to deliver intense energy in very short bursts allows for precise control and minimal damage to surrounding materials, making them invaluable in cutting-edge technology and research.

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

To excel as an Ultrafast Laser Engineer, you need a strong background in physics, optics, and laser technology, typically supported by a degree in physics, electrical engineering, or a related field. Experience with laser systems, optical alignment tools, and control software such as LabVIEW or MATLAB, as well as safety certifications, are commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the safe, precise design, maintenance, and operation of advanced laser systems in research or industrial settings.

What are some common challenges faced by ultrafast laser engineers, and how can they be overcome?

Ultrafast laser engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining precise alignment and stability of laser systems, as even slight misalignments can significantly impact performance. Managing thermal effects and minimizing noise are also frequent concerns when working with high-powered, short-pulse lasers. These challenges are typically addressed through meticulous system design, regular calibration, and the use of advanced diagnostic tools. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams, such as optical physicists and electronics engineers, also helps in developing robust solutions and ensuring optimal system performance.

What is the difference between Ultrafast Laser vs Laser Technician?

AspectUltrafast LaserLaser Technician
Required CredentialsTypically requires a physics or engineering degree, specialized training in ultrafast laser systemsOften requires a technical diploma or associate degree, training in laser operation and safety
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, medical research centersManufacturing plants, medical clinics, industrial settings
Industry UsageResearch, scientific applications, advanced manufacturingIndustrial manufacturing, medical procedures, laser maintenance

Ultrafast Laser specialists focus on designing, developing, and applying high-precision laser systems in research and advanced manufacturing. Laser Technicians operate and maintain laser equipment across various industries. While both roles involve lasers, Ultrafast Laser professionals typically require more specialized education and work in research environments, whereas Laser Technicians focus on operational tasks in industrial settings.

More about Ultrafast Laser jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Ultrafast Laser jobs?

The most popular types of Ultrafast Laser jobs are:

What states have the most Ultrafast Laser jobs?

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

What job categories do people searching Ultrafast Laser jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Ultrafast Laser jobs are:

Ultrafast Laser jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ultrafast Laser job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,394 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Senior Laser Engineer 2

ARA

San Antonio, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

The Rocky Mountain Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Laser Engineer 2 to join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists researching laser effects on human performance and laser eye protection solutions in a laboratory setting. The candidate will lead the operation and maintenance of the laser systems required to accomplish the research objectives. The candidate will operate and maintain numerous laser systems to include but not limited to high energy laser systems (HEL), existing wavelength-tunable high pulse power titanium-Sapphire laser, femtosecond laser systems, multiple high-energy continuous wave (CW) lasers, and tunable nanosecond optical parametric oscillators. Additional support may include performing in-house and on-field HEL-target reflection and bidirectional reflection distribution function (BRDF) measurements to validate and improve laser hazard prediction models and establish/maintain database of measured BRDFs. Most of the work will take place onsite in US Government provided laboratory space.
The Senior Laser Engineer 2 will lead the design, development, and execution of advanced laser and optical experiments in a controlled laboratory environment. This position focuses on applied research and advanced technology development in support of understanding and mitigating the effects lasers on biological tissues and vision. The candidate serves as a senior technical contributor and subject-matter expert, responsible for developing and implementing experimental concepts, executing high-fidelity laboratory demonstrations, and transitioning results to follow-on experiments, programs, and operational stakeholders.
This position is contingent upon ARA securing a contract, customer acceptance of the candidate's resume, funding of the senior laser engineer position, security clearance, and successful background check. The Air Force has announced that it expects to make an award in the summer of 2026.
Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and operate complex laser-based experimental setups in optical laboratories to support applied research and advanced technology development.
  • Develop experimental architectures using CW and pulsed laser sources (e.g., solid-state, fiber, diode, ultrafast) tailored to mission-relevant applications.
  • Lead precision optical alignment, beam conditioning, stabilization, and diagnostic activities.
  • Define experimental objectives, success criteria, and test plans aligned with research programs and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) maturation.
  • Perform data collection, analysis, and interpretation to assess system performance and technology feasibility.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve optical, mechanical, electronic, and software issues affecting experimental performance.
  • Ensure full compliance with DoD laser safety, environmental, and laboratory security requirements.
  • Document experimental designs, results, and conclusions in technical reports, briefings, and peer-reviewed publications as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with government, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDC), academic, and industry partners.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, scientists, and contractors.

Key Skills and Competencies
  • Deep expertise in laser physics and laser system operation, including CW and pulsed laser sources.
  • Strong background in optical system design, free-space and fiber-based optical architectures, and optomechanical integration.
  • Proficiency in optical diagnostics and metrology (beam profilers, interferometry, spectroscopy, power/energy measurements).
  • Experience with optical modeling and simulation tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V, COMSOL, or equivalent).
  • Capability to develop and automate experiments using data acquisition and control software (MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
  • Demonstrated ability to translate laboratory results into mission-relevant insights and recommendations.
  • Strong technical communication skills for internal leadership, program managers, and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
  • Minimum of 10 -12 years of progressively responsible experience in laser and optical laboratory research.
  • Demonstrated experience leading or independently executing complex experimental research efforts.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • MS or PhD in a relevant technical discipline.
  • Experience with DoD laboratories.
  • Background in mission-relevant areas such as directed energy, advanced sensing, spectroscopy, space optics, or laser-matter interactions.
  • Existing DoD clearance.

Company & Division Information
Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned scientific research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and critical problems. Founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, ARA currently has over 2,200 employee-owners in offices throughout the United States and Canada providing a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. In addition, we provide sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.
At ARA, employee-owners are at the heart of every success. We embrace employee ownership which spawns greater creativity, initiative, and higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. All eligible employees have the opportunity to earn annual contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and all of our employee-owners can directly impact our shared success.
Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Senior Laser Engineer 2 position.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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