Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Position Overview

Applied Energetics is redefining ultrashort pulse laser and directed energy technologies for defense and national security applications. As a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, integrating, and ruggedizing laser hardware, beam delivery systems, and optical subsystems for next‐generation directed energy platforms, ensuring our cutting‐edge solutions protect the warfighter and secure our nation's future.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and packaging of fiber and free-space oscillator and amplifier modules, and precision optical assemblies.
• Design mechanical assemblies for fiber laser and amplifier sub-systems such as pump modules, fiber trays, splices, and connectors.
• Design mechanical assemblies for free-space laser and amplifier sub-systems including pump modules, gain modules, optical mounts, and alignment fixtures.
• Perform thermal analysis of designs considering conductive, convective, and radiative cooling methods to optimize thermo-mechanical performance.
• Conduct structural analysis to ensure optimal stiffness, vibration, shock, and fatigue performance.
• Build and maintain detailed 3D CAD models of mechanical designs.
• Produce and update engineering drawings, system BOMs, and supporting design documentation.
• Identify and collaborate with vendors to procure high-quality, cost-optimized parts in a timely manner.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams on hands-on prototype assembly, characterization, and testing to validate design criteria.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering or closely related disciplines.
• Strong understanding of core mechanical engineering fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience with laser and optical systems design and integration.
• In-depth experience with thermo-mechanical and fluid-mechanical system analysis for thermally optimized solutions.
• Deep understanding of materials and their impact on system performance including strength, stability, and endurance.
• Demonstrated experience in designing for optical alignment, environmental survivability, and SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) considerations.
• Experience designing for manufacturability with an emphasis on quality, cost, and ease of production.
• Proven record of designing for performance, reliability, and safety as defined by MIL-STD or similar specifications.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with designing ultrashort pulse laser products.
• Experience working in DoD or aerospace systems development environments.

Benefits & Perks

• Work on breakthrough directed energy systems at the frontier of defense innovation.
• Help shape next-generation beam directors and optical architectures for critical DoD missions.
• Collaborate with a world-class team pushing the limits of laser science and engineering.
• Competitive salary, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Federal Holidays, Personal Holidays, Tuition/Loan Reimbursement, and more.