Staff Laser R&D Engineer

Luminar is a global automotive technology company ushering in a new era of vehicle safety and autonomy. For the past decade, Luminar has built an advanced hardware and software/AI platform to enable its more than 50 industry partners, including the majority of global automotive OEMs. From consumer vehicle programs with Volvo Cars and Mercedes-Benz to technology partnerships including NVIDIA and Mobileye, Luminar is poised to be the first automotive technology company to enable next-generation safety and autonomous capabilities for global production vehicles. For more information please visit www.luminartech.com.

Team Overview

The component research and development (R&D) group at Luminar is seeking an experienced Staff Laser R&D Engineer to contribute to our LiDAR system design and development.  The successful candidate will join a cross-functional team of R&D scientists and engineers working to combine light sources, beam delivery systems, detectors, firmware, and software to create market-leading LiDAR systems. The position requires an exceptional understanding of the physics of operation of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers and experience in their design, assembly, use, and characterization.  

Responsibilities

• Fiber laser, solid-state laser, and semiconductor diode laser module design, modeling and simulation
• Benchtop assembly and characterization of laser module prototypes to assess design limitations, improve design models, and confirm performance specifications
• Direct specification development and develop/use mechanical and electrical drawings for optical subcomponents and photonic devices
• Evaluate subsystem-level requirements for next-generation products
• Establish, direct, and conduct component and system verification and validation tests including gage repeatability and reproducibility
• Serve as the primary technical interface with one or more component suppliers as design transitions from development into production
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to support driving new and existing laser designs from initial R&D prototyping phase into high-volume manufacturing
• Engineering documentation including test plans, mechanical and optical drawings, and performance requirements/specifications

Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Optics, Photonics, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a fiber, solid state, or diode laser engineering
• Experience designing, modeling, and/or simulating with fiber, solid-state and/or semiconductor lasers
• Capability and willingness to plan, execute, and analyze the results of benchtop laser experiments in the lab
• Strong data analysis capability, including experience using MATLAB, Python, JMP, Excel, or other software tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in the design, specification, and characterization of fiber laser subcomponents for high-volume manufacturing
• Experience in a related role at an automotive LiDAR company
• Experience in reliability engineering including qualification testing definition, accelerated lifetest design, and statistical analysis
• Experience working with external vendors to set up low-rate initial production of laser modules 
• Experience managing international suppliers developing new photonics products and technologies
• Fluent in Mandarin Chinese
• Willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate overseas vendors
• Willingness to travel ~10%

 

Luminar is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We will make a reasonable accommodation for any qualified applicant with a disability, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation and that the accommodation would not impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please let us know if you believe you require reasonable accommodation, or if you would like assistance to complete an application or to participate in an interview at the company.

 

At Luminar, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. This role pays a base between $120,000 and $200,000 per year. Within this range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevan