Laser Process Engineer

About The Role:

What You’ll Do:

• Develop, optimize, and scale pulsed-laser manufacturing processes, including cutting, milling, selective ablation, and welding.
• Design and analyze experiments to understand laser-material interactions across metals, ceramics, and polymers - clearly defining goals, hypotheses, inputs, and outputs - and document and standardize processes to ensure reproducibility.
• Manage calibration and verification systems across many machines, build and execute qualification/validation protocols, establish process monitoring and control, and train and hand off to production personnel.
• Troubleshoot equipment, materials, and process issues, driving disciplined root-cause analysis to durable resolution.
• Develop and refine tool paths and machine programs using CAD/CAM and G-code to maximize precision and efficiency.
• Work with laser system design engineers to translate process learnings into system usability, performance, and features.
• Partner with Design, AI, Hardware/Software, and Manufacturing teams while mentoring engineers and technicians to champion best practices and process quality.
• Ensure safe operation of high-power laser systems, adhering to industry standards and internal safety protocols.

What You’ll Need:

• A master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a related field, and 6-10 years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong foundational knowledge of laser-material interaction and the physics of heating, melting, and ablation, along with heat transfer and thermomechanical phenomena.
• Hands-on experience with laser processing and parameter development (pulsed-laser experience ideal but not required); knowledge of laser and optical system design and performance.
• Experience scaling processes and handing off to production.
• Proficiency in DOE and statistical analysis.
• Experience with Python and ability to leverage AI tools for programming.
• Experience with metrology tools such as optical imaging and profilometry, CMM, SEM/EDS/EBSD, XRF, and X-ray CT.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong ownership and accountability; adaptable to changing priorities and comfortable managing many concurrent tasks.
• A collaborative attitude and team-focused mindset.

Atomic Machines is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and does not discriminate based on characteristics protected by applicable law. We are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including for individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [email protected]. To help our recruiting team manage application volume and respond to candidates more efficiently, Atomic Machines may use AI-assisted tools.