Director of Product Development - Corvallis, Oregon
Overview:
To direct group members and personally contribute to the commercialization of novel laser designs. The position is a key member of the Company that will lead the product development team with the foremost responsibility of design implementation, testing, documentation, and transfer-to-production of optical systems for state-of-the-art high-power fiber lasers.
In this position, you will be the leader of a focused team that will drive technology and design choices to create competitive advantage in product performance, cost, and time-to-market. A strong technical background with experience manufacture of state-of-the-art industrial-grade laser systems is required. The Company seeks a highly motivated individual who is comfortable and excited about working in a pre-production environment.
Once many lasers of a given design are constructed by the group, the Director of Product Development is responsible for the successful transfer of laser design & assembly to the Company’s laser production subsidiary. This involves founding test-stations, developing and documenting of procedures, and training operations with production personnel.
Desired Qualifications:
• Familiarity with standard fiber laser laboratory equipment including: optical spectrum analyzers and spectrophotometers, laser power meters, high-speed oscilloscopes, mode quality measurement tools, auto-collimators, fiber splicers & recoaters, and polishers
• Familiarity with conventional free-space frequency conversion designs, including proven methods of generating 2nd, 3rd, and 4th harmonic laser lines with NCPM and CPM nonlinear optical crystals
• Familiarity with laser control components, electronics, signal conditioning, and algorithms.
• Familiarity with optomechanical and thermal management solutions pertinent to reliable operations of OEM-grade packaged lasers
• Demonstrated understanding of the physics that limit fiber laser performance: SRS, SBS, SPM, surface and bulk damage, and thermal mechanisms
• Experience with laser operation lifetime and reliability measurements
• Experience with waveguide/fiber simulation software, ray-tracing software (e.g. Zemax), and Matlab
• Self-motivated with good interpersonal and communication skills, working in a focused group
• Ph.D. in Physics or Electrical Engineering with a concentration in laser optics and 5+ years of industrial experience. M. Sc. with 7+ years of industrial experience will be similarly considered.
• Hands-on experience with laser frequency conversion designs and their efficient implementation; in particular, work with borate crystals for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th harmonic generation of 1 µm lasers
• Hands-on experience with high power fiber lasers and components including: dual-clad fiber lasers and amplifiers, LMA fiber, photonic crystal fiber, high-brightness pump diodes, pump combiners, isolators, fiber taps, and fiber collimators.
• Experience with conversion of high peak power laser designs into commercial, reliable system products
• Strongly self-motivated and conducts one’s self with high standards of excellence and professionalism
Responsibilities:
• Convert novel, innovative laser designs into rugged industrial-class lasers
• Produce high-power, frequency-converted fiber lasers of picosecond and nanosecond pulse classes using a MOPA architecture.
• Develop optical subsystems and components that are ruggedized, hard-wired and compatible with high average and peak powers.
• Translation of designs into laser prototypes, document as required and assist in transfer to production
• Effectively transfer laser designs and train manufacturing personnel to large-scale manufacturing
• Defines laser system design by conferring with users; analyzing workflow, access, information, and security requirements; designing system architecture
• Technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments.
• Oversee performance optimization to meet product specifications and performance; define product quality by adherence to stringent performance specifications and use of robust construction practices
• Establish test functions and assembly procedures to assure production quality
• Manage a group of senior optical engineers, scientists, and technicians to achieve goals by aligning individual contribution coherently with each other for team success
• Optimizes laser parameters such as operational robustness and longevity in industrial environments, consistent adherence to specifications over multiple units, intelligent choices of components and design elements to reduce cost of goods.
• Meets financial requirements by submitting information for budgets; monitoring expenses.
• Must be able to work effectively with colleagues, subordinates, vendors, and suppliers.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations
• Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential
• Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; explores opportunities to add value to job accomplishments
Submit Resume