Optical Systems Engineer

Areté

Optical Systems Engineer designing and building laser and optical systems at Arete for national security challenges. Collaborating on research, development, and technical proposals in a team environment.

Posted 6/2/2026full-timeNiwot • Colorado • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $100,000 - $177,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Assist in designing and building solid-state, semiconductor, fiber laser, and optical systems
Modeling and simulating laser and optical performance
Planning measurements, diagnostics, and experiments
Acquiring laser and optical performance data
Analyzing experimental data
Validating theories on system performance through measurement and analysis
Conducting research and development related to lasers and electro-optical systems
Develop and document diagnostics and processes for laser and optical system evaluation and fabrication
Develop component specifications, tolerances, simulations, and test procedures
Drive technical research for laser and sensor development programs
Manage proposals for pursuits of new science and technology business
Prepare calculations, models, and simulations to predict laser system performance
Analyze collected experimental data to assess laser system performance
Develop laser and optical system specifications
Work with manufacturing and engineering staff to support design
Assemble, align, and test lasers and optical systems
Document designs, procedures, and performance
Design optical fixturing and tests to support laser and optical system alignment, construction, and performance verification
Inspect optical components and systems
Prepare and present technical briefings
Participate in design reviews and maintain documentation of resulting system design
Prepare electrical and optical hardware for demonstrations and experiments
Plan and execute field tests and demonstrations of prototype hardware electro-optical systems and components
Support proposal preparation for new technical work
Principal investigator for DoD research and development projects
Submit technical proposals for research and development programs
Additional duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Proficient theoretical understanding of laser physics, optics, and design approaches
Demonstrated capability in hardware build and test
Experience in the execution of DoD funded research and development programs
Appreciation of both technical and business constraints for development projects
Intellectual curiosity and desire for continuous learning
Entrepreneurial
Quickly understands overall project objectives and selects best suited solutions
Skilled and innovative problem solver
Works well independently and as part of a team
Strong work ethic
Detail oriented
Inquisitive and provides critical review of technical work by peers
Responsive to technical questions and review from peers and technical management
Comfortable in adapting to support a wide variety of roles to support different types of laser, lidar, and optical system development projects
Proficient use of standard MS Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Proficient in use of standard electrical and optical test equipment operation (e.g. oscilloscopes, signal generators, laser sources, spectrometers, detectors, etc.)
Proficient in Matlab, Mathematica, Python, or other scientific computing language
Possesses basic understanding of optical detectors and radiometry
Capable of developing models and simulations of laser dynamics to support optical designs
Capable of developing code to process collected sensor data
Independently perform research of available literature to fill in knowledge gaps as needed

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Vision Reimbursement
Fitness Reimbursement
Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Continuing Education Assistance
Flexible Scheduling
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

laser physicsopticshardware build and testmodeling and simulationdata analysissystem performance validationdiagnostics developmentcomponent specificationstest procedureselectro-optical systems

Soft Skills

intellectual curiosityproblem solvingteamworkstrong work ethicdetail orientedinquisitiveadaptabilityentrepreneurial mindsetcommunicationcritical review