Senior Semiconductor Laser Device Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$202,500 - $256,824 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Senior Semiconductor Laser Device Engineer with expertise in semiconductor laser diodes. You will define, develop, and deploy high power laser diodes and diode arrays.  You will have an advanced understanding of semiconductor optoelectronics, micro-optics, and thermal management to specify, design, and oversee deployment of high-power laser diode arrays and work to determine requirements, set specifications and address array technology options including thermal management and electronic drivers.  You will work with LLNL team members to expand the vision for continued development of diode laser technology. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate.

In this role, you will

• Operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts, to resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems, independently determine strategies, modify approaches, and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• Provide technical guidance to team members, leadership and external customers on defining, developing, and deploying highly complex high-power diode laser pump arrays.
• Serve as the primary technical contact, providing input and applying highly advanced technical knowledge  for high power laser diodes and optoelectronic components.  
• Set broad research/project vision and strategy and influence technical direction for self and others, serving as liaison between stakeholders to align priorities, goals, and resources, and to foster collaboration.  
• Direct technical activities as needed to specify, procure, evaluate, and deploy commercially available laser diode arrays on LLNL systems.
• Build and sustain strategic relationships with universities and industrial partners to conduct highly advanced research into novel approaches for enhancing laser diode technology.
• Design and direct highly complex experiments to characterize laser diode components.
• Assess novel pump laser concepts using optoelectronic, optical, and or thermal simulations.
• Provide highly advanced technical guidance, training, mentoring, and coaching to technical staff.
• Utilize highly advanced technical expertise and analytical skills to prepare, present, and explain formal and complex reports and written and verbal presentations of technical work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Highly advanced knowledge of and significant experience with current state-of-the-art laser diodes, including laser diode metrology, semiconductor device physics (gain, cavity design, heterostructure charge transport) and device reliability physics.
• Expert knowledge of and significant experience with laser diode micro-optics, optoelectronic device packaging and thermal management, and knowledge of highly complex reliability engineering principles.
• Significant experience with highly complex optoelectronic device simulation and laser diode characterization.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to prepare, present, and explain highly complex reports and effectively deliver highly advanced technical presentations, as well as influence and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.
• Significant experience with demonstrated ability to successfully lead and manage small, multi-disciplinary teams in achieving project objectives.
• Significant experience interacting and cooperating with all levels of technical staff, managers, and vendors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics. Experience with high power laser diode arrays, laser diode simulation software, laser diode current driver requirements, III-V semiconductor fabrication and materials technologies, and/or opto-electronic component packaging.
• Demonstrated experience leading a project and/or managing project budget and schedule.
• Expert knowledge of and experience with characterization of compound semiconductor optoelectronic devices and materials such as GaAs, InP, and/or GaN.
• Familiarity with the high-power laser diode industry or employment experience at an industrial manufacturer or end-user of laser diode components.
• Familiarity with compound semiconductor growth, characterization, and fabrication processes such as MOCVD, MBE, XRD, PL, ECV, AFM, SEM. Hall effect, and/or SIMS, PECVD, RIE, ICP, wet etch, photolithography, and/or evaporation.
• Experience in writing technical specifications and statements of work.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.