Job Description

Position: Staff Scientist - Optical Frequency Comb Development

Salary: $110,000 - $165,000 based upon skill set, work experience, and education

About Us: Vescent Technologies is a recognized leader in the development and manufacture of laser frequency control systems, including optical frequency combs, tunable lasers, electro-optical modules, and feedback control electronics. The work environment is fun, fast-paced, challenging, and interdisciplinary. The Vescent team takes pride in its work, is energetic and agile, and enjoys celebrating team successes.

Position Summary: Vescent seeks a creative and highly driven laser scientist to join our Research & Development team in Golden, CO. The right candidate will work on the development of state-of-the-art laser and optoelectronic systems with a focus on the development, construction, and testing of mode-locked lasers and optical frequency combs for quantum applications. The candidate will be efficient in their work ethic, highly self-motivated, and enthusiastic about laboratory research in an industrial setting. The candidate will manage research projects as a principal investigator and seek new funding opportunities for next-generation research and development to enhance Vescent’s existing optical frequency comb product lines. Approximately 60-80% of the candidate’s time will require on-site tasks with an opportunity for travel to conferences and customer site-visits. This position offers growth opportunities for career advancement in management, including promotion to Group Leader to oversee a small development team.

Vescent develops and manufactures high-performance electro-optics, tunable lasers, and electronics for precision laser control. Being a recognized leader in laser control systems and centrally located in the Denver area allows for frequent collaborations with nearby academic and private institutes to further Vescent’s product and technology development goals. R&D is a central part of Vescent’s mission, fueling technology innovations that turn into world-class products. The work environment is fun, fast-paced, challenging, and interdisciplinary, involving a high degree of coordination between electrical, mechanical, and optical systems. The Vescent team takes pride in its work, is energetic and agile, and enjoys celebrating milestones.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research both as an individual and in a team environment. This will include analyzing, modelling, designing, assembling, and testing mode-locked lasers, optical frequency combs, and electro-optical systems for applications including optical frequency division and optical frequency synthesis.
• Conduct in-laboratory research (estimated 25-50% of candidates time on a monthly basis).
• Mentor and train research staff regarding laboratory, presentation, and report writing skills.
• Manage contract research projects to be on time and within budget, including effectively communicating with customers, industry/academic partners, and vendors.
• Write effective proposals to secure development funding through government and commercial contracts.
• As part of a highly cross-functional product development team, work closely with other team members to capture product requirements, provide subject matter expertise, analyze designs, troubleshoot prototypes, and perform use case test validation.
• Transition assembly and testing of optical systems to production engineers and technicians as needed.
• Travel requirements: Occasional (5-10% total) trips to conferences and/or customer site visits

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Optics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent degree in relevant field. M.S’s with >5 years of industrial experience will also be considered.
• At least 3 years performing hands-on R&D in an optics/laser laboratory with direct experience stabilizing optical frequency combs and/or mode-locked lasers.
• Expertise in nonlinear optics using ultrafast laser systems, including technical requirements, detailed design, construction, and testing.
• Demonstrated understanding of laser frequency stabilization and servo feedback control of electro-optical systems, including characterization and analysis of laser phase/frequency noise properties.
• Demonstrated technical writing experience, including providing relevant writing samples.

Desirable Additional Skills

• Proficiency in designing and troubleshooting electronic circuits, especially with opto-electronic components such as diode lasers and photodetectors.
• Relevant laser and/or electro-optic product development experience.
• Expertise in quantum applications (timing, sensing, computing, networking, etc.).
• Expertise in photonic integrated circuits (PICs), fiber lasers, and semiconductor laser devices including design, fabrication, testing, and packaging.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer programming (Python preferred), data analysis tools, and physical simulations (including, but not limited to, Zemax and Solidworks).

Benefits

• Flexible schedule options to support work-life balance
• 4 Weeks of PTO annually
• 7 Company paid holidays
• 401(K) Plan with employer contribution
• Health & Dental Insurance with plan options including employer-paid premium coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer matching available with eligible plans
• Incentive Stock Option
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Relocation Assistance

How To Apply: Please send your resume with a cover letter to hr@vescent.com. Your cover letter should express how your skills, qualifications, and interests address the job description, and why you want to work at Vescent. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.

Compliance Notice: This position is subject to a background check in accordance with applicable laws, and employment is contingent upon the successful completion of that process as well as the ability to meet eligibility criteria for access to secured or regulated work environments. Vescent Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available at this time. Employment with Vescent Technologies is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by applicable law.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact hr@vescent.com.

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply in accordance with applicable job posting policies.

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