Apply on Employer Site

AstroForge · 5 months ago

Laser Systems Engineer/Scientist

Seal Beach

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$120K/yr - $180K/yr

2+ years exp

AstroForge is dedicated to making space resources accessible on Earth by mining asteroids for valuable minerals. They are seeking a Senior Laser Systems Engineer/Scientist to design and validate beam-delivery and targeting subsystems for mining platforms, ensuring functionality in both terrestrial and extreme space conditions.

MiningMining TechnologySpace Travel

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Beam-Train Architecture & Assembly: Design and assemble complete optical paths, including coatings, mirrors, fiber/optics interfaces, beam shaping and alignment fixtures, optimized for harsh mining environments with variable gravity, dust, debris, and thermal extremes

Automated Aiming & Targeting: Develop and integrate precision laser-aiming subsystems capable of tracking and engaging ore bodies on moving asteroid surfaces as well as in dynamic terrestrial mining sites, ensuring accuracy despite environmental vibrations or microgravity drift

Ablation & Damage-Threshold Testing for Mining Materials: Plan and execute ore ablation experiments on representative asteroid regolith, metallic ores, and rock samples. Characterize material removal rates, plasma plume behavior, and optical component survivability under repeat mining cycles

Laser Trade Studies with Mining Context: Conduct comparative analyses of laser types, wavelengths, and beam formats for cutting, vaporizing, or fragmenting mining targets. Lead wavelength-selection campaigns considering ore composition, efficiency, dust suppression, safety, and supply-chain constraints

Prototype Iteration & Field Trials: Drive rapid prototype builds through Earth-based mining site trials and space-analog tests (vacuum chambers, parabolic flights). Oversee range-testing cycles, from dry-runs to live engagements, capturing performance data for refining designs

Documentation & Reporting: Produce detailed technical reports, alignment procedures, and mining-specific test plans. Present findings to stakeholders, and update design specifications for both space mission integration and industrial deployment

Qualification

Laser developmentOptical design softwareAblation testingOptical engineeringEnvironmental qualification testingCollaborative communicationSafety standardsProblem-solvingHands-on experience

Required

BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline

Strong analytical mindset, collaborative communication, and problem-solving in field or laboratory environments

2+ years in high-power or directed-energy laser development, optical-train engineering, or related fields

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Government