Senior Laser & Optics Design Engineer
Asml· Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment· Oct 8, 2026 · 20d ago
San Diego, CA, USA
In office
Full-time
Senior
$153K–$210K
3+ years exp
Job description
We are a part of ASML, located in beautiful San Diego. ASML provides chipmakers like Intel, Samsung, TSMC, Global Foundries and others with everything they need - hardware, software and services - to mass produce patterns on silicon, helping to increase the value and lower the cost of a semiconductor chip. Our key technology is the lithography system, which brings together high-tech hardware and advanced software to control the chip manufacturing process down to the picometer. Our vision is a world in which semiconductor technology is everywhere and helps to tackle society’s toughest challenges.
Job Mission
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Laser & Optics Design Engineer to join our Source Research team. The mission of this role is to translate emerging laser and optical concepts into engineered, testable systems that advance next-generation high-power Laser Produced Plasma Extreme Ultraviolet (LPP-EUV) light sources and DUV lasers. Working within a dynamic Source Research environment, the engineer will define and execute the detailed engineering work needed to mature new technologies within the project goals and high-level technical direction established with the lead scientist, despite high-level and evolving requirements. This role combines optical and laser system design, modeling, hands-on experimentation, integration, and validation to demonstrate system performance and prepare successful concepts for future product development.
Role and Responsibilities
Execute the detailed design, integration, and validation of laser and optical systems, including optical architectures, laser subsystems, diagnostics, controls, and supporting hardware.
Work as part of a multidisciplinary project team, partnering with laser scientists, system architects, mechanical engineers, software engineers, electrical engineers, and product development teams to deliver program objectives.
Develop and utilize system models and engineering analyses including optical, thermal, gain, gas-flow, structural, and performance models to guide design decisions, predict system behavior, and reduce technical risk.
Translate high-level and evolving system needs into implementable subsystem requirements, designs, interfaces, and verification criteria, maintaining appropriate bi-directional traceability within Source Research as the design matures.
Working within the project goals and high-level technical direction established with the lead scientist, own the detailed engineering execution of assigned work packages, including developing the implementation approach, identifying required tasks, conducting design reviews, planning tests, managing technical risks, resolving issues, documenting results, and delivering against schedule and performance targets.
Design, build, and commission experimental hardware and prototype systems to evaluate new concepts, mature technologies, and support future product development.
Define and execute verification and validation activities to demonstrate compliance with performance, reliability, manufacturability, and safety requirements.
Drive design improvements through data-driven engineering, analyzing test results and system performance to identify root causes, improve robustness, and increase system capability.
Support technology transfer from research into development, ensuring designs are scalable, maintainable, manufacturable, and aligned with long-term product roadmaps.
Demonstrate system-level performance against future technology roadmap objectives through analytical predictions, laboratory testing, and integrated system demonstrations.
Perform other duties as assigned or required.
Education and Experience
Ph.D. with a minimum of 3 years of experience or a Master’s degree with at least 6 years relevant experience in laser physics, optics, photonics, electrical engineering, or an equivalent field.
Strong foundation in laser and optical system design, integration, alignment, characterization, and troubleshooting.
Ability to translate high-level, incomplete, and evolving system requirements into practical subsystem designs, interfaces, specifications, and verification plans.
Firm understanding of optical modeling, particularly Gaussian beam propagation, resonator behavior, and beam delivery; proficiency with Zemax OpticStudio is preferred. Ability to apply optical and multidisciplinary engineering analyses—including thermal, structural, gain, gas-flow, and performance models—to guide design decisions and reduce technical risk.
Hands-on capability to design, build, commission, and validate experimental hardware and prototype laser and optical systems.
Strong experimental design, data analysis, and root-cause problem-solving skills, with the ability to convert test results into actionable design improvements.
Ability to plan and execute technical work packages, including design reviews, test planning, risk management, issue resolution, documentation, and delivery against schedule and performance targets.
Working knowledge of design for reliability, manufacturability, maintainability, scalability, and safe operation.
Working knowledge of optomechanical design principles, including tolerancing, alignment stability, mounting, and sensitivity to thermal and mechanical disturbances.
Working knowledge of laser safety practices and disciplined laboratory execution involving high-power laser systems.
Skills
This role requires a hands-on engineer who can translate scientific concepts and system requirements into reliable, testable laser and optical hardware. Success depends on sound engineering judgment, rigorous analysis, disciplined execution, and effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
To thrive in this role, you will need the following skills:
Ability to thrive in a rapidly changing research and development environment where requirements may evolve, priorities may shift, and formal processes may be limited.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across scientific, engineering, and product teams and to effectively influence implementation and design decisions without direct authority.
Clear and concise written, verbal, and graphical communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information to varied audiences.
High integrity, ownership, and initiative, with the judgment to independently identify what needs to be done, establish structure and priorities, and drive work forward without waiting for detailed direction.
Relevant experience developing, integrating, testing, or troubleshooting laser and optical systems in a research, prototype, or product-development environment.
Demonstrated experience driving the detailed execution of complex engineering work from high-level and evolving technical direction, including independently defining the tasks, priorities, analyses, experiments, and documentation needed to achieve the intended outcome.
Experience applying optical modeling and engineering analysis to the design and evaluation of laser or beam-delivery systems.
Experience using experimental results and system-performance data to diagnose issues, validate designs, and implement improvements.
Experience working within multidisciplinary research and engineering teams to mature concepts from initial feasibility through integrated demonstration.
Other information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch.
The employee is occasionally required to move around the campus including working while fully gowned in a clean room environment.
The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
The employee may be required to travel based on business needs.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The environment generally is moderate in temperature and noise level.
Primarily second shift, schedule flexibility to attend training or support other required activities on first or third shift hours as needed.
Extended periods of time in a cleanroom environment.
Requires gowning in Class 10K gowning protocol.
May need to work in labs with equipment that emit high-pitched noise.
May spend extended periods of time at a computer workstation.
The current base annual salary range for this role is currently:
$152,600-209,825
Pay scales are determined by role, level, location and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors that that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and pay relative to other team members.
The Company offers employees and their families, medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to participate in the Company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive eight (8) hours of vacation leave every month and (13) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. For more information, please contact the Recruiter or click on this link Compensation & Benefits in the US .
All new ASML jobs have a minimum application deadline of 10 days.
This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.
Inclusion and diversity ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.
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Request an Accommodation ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities. An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and/or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to USHR_Accommodation asml.com to initiate the company’s reasonable accommodation process.
Please note: This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML’s process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.
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