Staff Development Engineer at Coherent in Santa Clara, California

Job Description:

Job Description and Responsibilities:

Coherent is a world leader of lasers, optics, and sensors for scientific, precision manufacturing, life sciences, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Coherent' s High Power Optically Pumped Semiconductor (HOPS) division focuses on the development and productization of innovative semiconductor lasers for use in scientific and industrial applications. We develop tools for end users in semiconductor manufacturing, life sciences, medical and bio-instrumentation companies, environmental monitoring, defense, entertainment and many other sectors of industry and government.

HOPS has an opportunity for a staff level Development Engineer. This is a highly technical position, requiring solid theoretical foundation and practical experience in quantum electronics (photonics), optics, physics of semiconductors, electrical engineering and computer modeling. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development of optically pumped semiconductor lasers through individual technical contributions and working within a multi-disciplinary team to realize the final product.

Initial responsibilities provide an excellent opportunity for a hands-on contributor capable of both breadboard feasibility studies and resolving the detailed technical challenges required to industrialize this challenging technology. The important requirement is hands on experience in conceptualizing and developing lasers or related photonic devices. A significant part of this position's responsibilities is working in the laboratory settings on feasibility prototypes and facilitating the initial stages of our New Product Introduction (NPI) process.

Primary Responsibilities:

Initial responsibilities will focus on developing novel solutions for improving performance and reliability of existing technology platforms.

• Participate in brainstorming meetings, conceptualize, develop and troubleshoot non-standard technical approaches to fundamental problems. Perform computer modelling as required.


• Make individual technical contributions to the design and characterization of breadboard and prototype lasers systems.


• Participate in the NPI process, participate in periodic project meetings.


• Contribute to test procedures, user manuals, process development and training for manufacturing and service personnel for transition of products from R&D to manufacturing.


• Provide on-going product support to manufacturing, marketing, sales, and service.

Education and Work Experience:

• Ph.D. or M.S. in physics, optics, or engineering.


• 3+ years of laser engineering or related experience.


• Understanding of fundamentals of all major aspects of laser operation, resonators, noise


• Solid understanding of geometrical and wave optics


• Semiconductor lasers


• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers


• Harmonic generation


• Basic electric circuits


• Principles of mechanical design


• Product development experience is preferred

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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