Staff Laser Engineer 1

Applied Research Associates, Inc.

(ARA) Rocky Mountain Division (RMD) is seeking a Staff Laser Engineer 1 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 operate and maintain the laser systems required to accomplish the research objectives, including testing across various 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 Staff Laser Engineer will support 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 will be responsible for developing and implementing experimental concepts, executing high-fidelity laboratory demonstrations, and transitioning results to follow-on experiments, programs, and operational stakeholders.

These projects will require close coordination with subject matter experts and customers to develop novel research methods and optimize existing measurement capabilities.

Candidates must be eager to learn and work effectively with diverse teams, including peers, clients, and stakeholders.

Candidates applying for this position must be a US citizen and be able to obtain a security clearance.

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.


* Conduct laser/optical research experiments.


* 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 across a variety of experimental setups.


* Define experimental objectives, success criteria, and test plans aligned with rese...