Job description

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of experience in designing tooling, or support equipment. Experience with low volume, high precision systems is preferred. Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Optical Engineering, or related technical field. Compensation: $130,000-170,000 based on experience Who We Are nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country. Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR). Summary: nLIGHT Defense Systems is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Electrical Engineer to join our Tooling team to support the production of advanced High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems. This position is responsible for developing electrical test equipment, control systems, data acquisition solutions, optical alignment tools, fixtures, and other support equipment required to assemble, integrate, and verify complex laser weapon systems within the HADES product line. As part of a newly established engineering team, you will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to design and deploy tooling solutions that support both prototype and production hardware. This role offers a unique blend of electrical design, system integration, hands-on development, manufacturing support, and mechanical fixture design, with opportunities to work directly with cutting-edge electro-optical technologies. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on how our systems are built, tested, and delivered, contributing directly to the success of critical national defense programs. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: dcsa.mil . Please review this information before applying. Responsibilities: • Design and implement electrical test equipment, control systems, data acquisition solutions, optical alignment tooling, and mechanical fixtures that support the assembly, integration, testing, and production of high-energy laser weapon systems, with a focus on improving quality, repeatability, efficiency, and operator safety. • Lead electrical design efforts across both quick-turn and long-duration tooling projects, including requirements development, schematic design, component selection, wiring architecture, documentation, prototyping, integration, troubleshooting, and deployment into production environments. • Partner with Electrical, Software, Optical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Production teams to define tooling requirements, resolve technical challenges, and deliver robust, production-ready solutions that support program objectives and manufacturing schedules. • Develop tooling and support equipment for low-volume, high-precision electro-optical assemblies, including electrical subsystem checkout, functional verification, data collection, troubleshooting, and production support activities throughout the manufacturing process. • Ensure tooling designs comply with applicable electrical, safety, and environmental standards, including UL, CE, IEC, and RoHS requirements, while supporting documentation, risk assessments, and design reviews as needed. Required Experience / Capability: • Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship. • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline. Degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or other engineering disciplines may be considered with relevant tooling and electrical design experience. • 5+ years of experience designing, developing, and implementing electrical test equipment, tooling, fixtures, automated test systems, or other manufacturing support equipment. • Strong understanding of electrical systems, wiring harnesses, PCB design fundamentals, power distribution, component selection, and system integration principles. • Experience developing, executing, or supporting electrical subsystem testing, including troubleshooting, verification, validation, data collection, and performance characterization activities. • Proficiency with Altium, wiring diagram software, and SolidWorks for electrical design, documentation, and tooling development. • Experience supporting low-volume, high-mix, high-precision products where accuracy, repeatability, and process control are critical to product performance and quality. • Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing requirements, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. • Exposure to fiber-optic systems, laser-based technologies, or optical alignment processes is preferred, including experience working with precision optical components and test equipment. Additional Desired Experience / Capability: • Experience designing, wiring, programming, and integrating automated test hardware and equipment, including the use of C-based programming languages or similar software tools for test and control applications. • Experience with data acquisition systems, automated test data collection, database management, and manufacturing traceability systems. • Familiarity with high-bandwidth fiber-optic communication protocols, high-speed data transfer systems, and high-voltage DC power distribution used in advanced electro-optical and defense applications. • Knowledge of machine safety principles and safety system integration, including interlocks, emergency-stop systems, risk mitigation strategies, and safe operation of production equipment. Benefits Summary: • 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year • 11 paid Holidays • Employee Stock Purchase Plan • Tuition Assistance Program • Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents • Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100% • Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal . If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at HR@nlightdefense.com .

Requirements

Must-haves

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Optical Engineering, or related technical field.
Compensation: $130,000-170,000 based on experience
Ensure tooling designs comply with applicable electrical, safety, and environmental standards, including UL, CE, IEC, and RoHS requirements, while supporting documentation, risk assessments, and design reviews as needed.
Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
5+ years of experience designing, developing, and implementing electrical test equipment, tooling, fixtures, automated test systems, or other manufacturing support equipment.
Strong understanding of electrical systems, wiring harnesses, PCB design fundamentals, power distribution, component selection, and system integration principles.
Experience developing, executing, or supporting electrical subsystem testing, including troubleshooting, verification, validation, data collection, and performance characterization activities.
Proficiency with Altium, wiring diagram software, and SolidWorks for electrical design, documentation, and tooling development.
Experience supporting low-volume, high-mix, high-precision products where accuracy, repeatability, and process control are critical to product performance and quality.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing requirements, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
Experience designing, wiring, programming, and integrating automated test hardware and equipment, including the use of C-based programming languages or similar software tools for test and control applications.
Experience with data acquisition systems, automated test data collection, database management, and manufacturing traceability systems.
Familiarity with high-bandwidth fiber-optic communication protocols, high-speed data transfer systems, and high-voltage DC power distribution used in advanced electro-optical and defense applications.
Knowledge of machine safety principles and safety system integration, including interlocks, emergency-stop systems, risk mitigation strategies, and safe operation of production equipment.
11 paid Holidays
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Tuition Assistance Program

Nice-to-haves

Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of experience in designing tooling, or support equipment. Experience with low volume, high precision systems is preferred.
Exposure to fiber-optic systems, laser-based technologies, or optical alignment processes is preferred, including experience working with precision optical components and test equipment.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: jobvite
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401k

Paid Time Off