OPTICAL ENGINEER III - FIBER LASER
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 abroad (France, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, etc.). Distinguished by its expertise, numerous patents, steady growth, and a workforce spanning roles from production operators to research scientists, the Lumibird Group currently employs over 1,000 people worldwide. Firmly committed to sustainable development, the Lumibird Group contributes to the ecological and social transition by implementing an ambitious CSR policy.
To support our expanding operations, we are currently seeking candidates for our West Springfield, Massachusetts site.
JOB SUMMARY:
Optical Engineer III supports the development, testing, troubleshooting, and productization of high-power CW/QCW fiber laser systems for medical and industrial applications.
This role focuses on practical fiber laser development, including optical fiber handling, fiber preparation, splicing, laser assembly, optical testing, beam characterization, performance analysis, and product-level troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with optical fiber and laser systems, solid knowledge of fiber laser physics, and the ability to use optical and electrical test equipment to evaluate laser performance.
This position requires regular work with laser hardware, optical fibers, high-power optical components, and test equipment. The engineer must be able to work independently, analyze technical issues in a structured manner, document results clearly, and help maintain an organized, safe, and efficient laser lab.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support the development, assembly, testing, and optimization of high-power CW/QCW fiber laser systems and optical subassemblies.
- Perform optical fiber preparation, including stripping, cleaning, cleaving, splicing, routing, inspection, fiber protection, and use of related fiber handling equipment and tools.
- Work with fiber laser components such as active fibers, passive fibers, FBGs, pump combiners, fiber-coupled diodes, delivery fibers, and high-power fiber assemblies.
- Use optical and electrical test equipment such as power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, beam profilers, thermal sensors, current/voltage monitors, and similar instruments.
- Characterize laser performance, including output power, spectrum, efficiency, pulse behavior, power stability, thermal behavior, beam size, divergence, pointing behavior, and beam quality.
- Perform near-field and far-field beam profile measurements and analyze beam behavior under different operating conditions.
- Troubleshoot optical, fiber, thermal, electrical, and system-level issues using a structured analytical approach, including test planning, data analysis, and root-cause identification.
- Support testing related to back-reflection sensitivity, optical feedback, thermal effects, mode behavior, long-term stability, reliability, and high-power laser failure modes.
- Support failure analysis, corrective actions, design improvements, process improvements, production transfer, and product repeatability.
- Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, including test reports, work instructions, test procedures, acceptance criteria, design evaluations, and failure analysis reports.
- Help maintain an organized, safe, and efficient laser lab, including proper storage of optical components, fibers, tools, fixtures, samples, and test equipment.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related technical field.
- If recent graduate, then Masters or PhD or equivalent working experience preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience with fiber optics, fiber lasers, laser systems, optical testing, or related photonics laboratory work.
- Experience with high-power CW/QCW fiber lasers, thulium-doped fiber lasers, or other rare-earth-doped fiber laser systems is preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- Strong hands-on experience with optical fiber handling, including stripping, cleaning, cleaving, splicing, routing, inspection, fiber protection, and use of related fiber handling equipment and tools.
- Working knowledge of fiber laser physics, including laser cavity behavior, gain, pump absorption, thermal effects, optical feedback, back-reflection sensitivity, and power stability.
- Experience using optical and electrical test equipment such as power meters, OSAs, oscilloscopes, beam profilers, thermal sensors, current/voltage monitors, or similar instruments.
- Ability to characterize laser performance, including output power, spectrum, efficiency, pulse behavior, stability, beam size, pointing behavior, divergence, and beam quality.
- Strong analytical troubleshooting skills for optical, fiber, thermal, and laser system-level issues.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining good lab safety, documentation, and organization.
- Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, applicable CAD tools, etc).
PREFERRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- Experience with large-mode-area fibers, pump/signal combiners, FBGs, end caps, free-space optics, or high-power fiber delivery systems.
- Familiarity with high-power laser failure modes, including fiber damage, thermal instability, mode behavior, back reflection, and component contamination.
- Experience supporting product development, design improvements, production transfer, reliability testing, or failure analysis.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be capable of working in front of a computer screen for long periods of time.
- Standing and working at optical tables in laser labs for extended periods of time.
- Good close-up vision for inspecting optics and other laser components.
- Ability to use fingers and hands to manipulate small objects.
Lumibird Photonics USA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We consider applicants for all positions on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation and any other legally protected status.
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