Laser Systems Engineer (All Levels)

Citizens and permanent residents only - we do not sponsor and cannot hire non-citizens or PRs. We work 6 days a week in the office in downtown San Francisco, no remote available.

What is Aurelius Systems?

Aurelius Systems is a directed energy company developing edge-deployed laser systems for

cUAS applications

We shoot down drones with laser guns

Why?

The US and our allies have prepared for a world where we will be fighting increasingly large and

sophisticated systems (Planes, Aircraft carriers, etc), but this world never came. The future of

warfare will involve large numbers of small-scale and mass-manufacturable drones, and we

aren’t prepared to defend our country from these threats abroad or domestically. Aurelius

Systems has set out to address this problem by equipping the US and our allies with the

systems they need to fight current and future conflicts in a scalable and cost-effective manner.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Laser Systems Engineer to architect, develop, and

validate beam‑delivery and targeting subsystems for our next‑generation defense laser

platforms. You will lead end‑to‑end beam‑train design, automated aiming, and materials‑testing

efforts across pulsed and CW regimes, progressing from lab prototype to field‑deployed

hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• ​ Beam‑Train Architecture & Assembly : Design and assemble the end‑to‑end optical

path—including coatings, mirrors, fiber / optics interfaces, and alignment fixtures—to meet

power and beam‑quality specifications.

• ​ Automated Aiming & Targeting : Develop and integrate laser‑aiming subsystems,

combining optomechanics and control‑system hooks for precision tracking and dwell

control.

• ​ Ablation & Damage‑Threshold Testing : Plan and execute material ablation

experiments, characterize damage thresholds, and iterate on optical and mechanical

designs to optimize performance and durability.

• ​ Laser Trade Studies : Conduct comparative analyses of various laser operation, leading

wavelength‑selection campaigns considering efficacy, safety, and supply‑chain

constraints.

• ​ Cross‑Functional Collaboration : Partner with controls, mechanical, and sensor teams

to synchronize beam outputs with targeting data and ensure system‑level integration.

• ​ Prototype Iteration & Field Trials : Drive rapid bench‑prototype builds through

range‑testing cycles (dry‑runs, live engagements), capturing performance data to refine

optical and mechanical designs.

• ​ Documentation & Reporting : Produce comprehensive technical reports, optical

alignment procedures, and test‑plan documentation; present findings to stakeholders

and update design specifications accordingly.

Qualifications

• ​ Hyper Engineer - your brain only releases dopamine when you're building
• ​ Experience : 4–7 years in high‑power or directed‑energy laser development, optical‑train

engineering, or related fields.

• Deep expertise in optical design software (Zemax, Code V) and CAD tools

(SolidWorks, Creo).

• ​ Hands‑on experience with high‑power coatings, mirror mounts, and fiber‑optic

interfaces.

• ​ Proven track record of ablation testing and damage‑threshold characterization.
• ​ Familiarity with both pulsed and CW laser architectures, wavelength trade‑offs,

and safety standards.

• ​ Education : BS / MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related

discipline.

• ​ Soft Skills : Strong analytical mindset, collaborative communication, and

problem‑solving under experimental constraints.

Nice‑to‑Haves

• ​Field‑deployed laser systems experience (DoD or industrial optics).
• ​Background in optical fiber handling and splice qualification.
• ​Experience with environmental qualification testing (vibration, thermal shock).
• ​Familiarity with laser safety (ANSI Z136) and ITAR regulations.