Laser Engineer

Job Category

Engineering Support Services

LASER
009488

San Antonio, TX (US Government‑provided laboratory space)

The Missions, Concepts, and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking to hire a Laser Engineer to join a multi‑disciplinary team of engineers and scientists researching laser biological effects and laser eye protection solutions in a laboratory setting. The candidate will operate and maintain the laser systems required to accomplish the research objectives. The work will take place onsite in San Antonio, TX.

• Build and operate complex laser‑based experimental setups in optical laboratories to support applied research and advanced technology development.
• Assist in the development of experimental architectures using CW and pulsed laser sources tailored to mission‑relevant applications.
• Perform precision optical alignment, beam conditioning, stabilization, and diagnostic activities.
• Support the development of 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, FFRDC, academic, and industry partners.

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 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 DoD security clearance.

• 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.
• Experience working with CW and pulsed laser sources.
• Capability to develop and automate experiments using data acquisition and control software (MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
• Existing TS or TS/SCI clearance.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee‑owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences.

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.