What does a laser engineer do?
A laser engineer is one who specializes in making and developing laser devices or machines that is for laser purposes. They supervises the laser team in operating and ensuring that all laser-related equipment is functioning well. They can also specialize in doing advanced optics or optic devices. Their responsibilities include the regular monitoring and optimization of laser outputs as well as finding out a reasonable solution on how to handles laser issues that will be arising.
Laser engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laser engineer resumes:
- Manage Terraform and refactore from monolithic to application specific components.
- Support manufacturing by testing lenses on ZYGO interferometer or MTF tester and designing and implementing electro-optical test beds.
- Prepare soil data in geotechnical software and graphical figures to be used and review by professional engineering project managers.
- Prepare soil data in geotechnical software and graphical figures to be used and review by professional engineering project managers.
Laser engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Laser Engineers are proficient in MATLAB, Data Collection, and LabVIEW. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Laser Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- MATLAB, 13%
Modeled & designed using ZEMAX, LASCAD, GLAD and MATLAB.
- Data Collection, 10%
Managed multiple research and development projects involving human subject data collection, requiring compliance with HIPPA and Institutional Review Board regulations.
- LabVIEW, 9%
Designed and programed an automatic M2 parameter measurement system using LabVIEW.
- Data Analysis, 8%
Performed calibration, efficiency tests, and thermodynamic data analysis for gas-fired heating units; data used to develop governmental standards.
- Optical Engineering, 6%
Assist scientist/engineers with optical engineering challenges Involved in building a classified nuclear enrichment pilot plant.
- Fiber Laser, 5%
Executed proof-of-concept demonstrations and prototype development for commercialization of a nanosecond-pulse fiber laser.
"matlab," "data collection," and "labview" are among the most common skills that laser engineers use at work. You can find even more laser engineer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a laser engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what laser engineers do because "bioengineers and biomedical engineers must assess the needs of patients and customers prior to designing products." Additionally, a laser engineer resume shows how laser engineers use analytical skills: "supported optical engineering through development, analysis, testing, characterization, and troubleshooting of laser and imaging systems. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform laser engineer duties is communication skills. Laser engineers responsibilities require that "because bioengineers and biomedical engineers sometimes work with patients and customers and frequently work on teams, they must be able to express themselves clearly in discussions." Laser engineers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "automated laboratory measurement systems using labview in conjunction with gpib and serial communication. "
Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of laser engineers is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday laser engineer duties, as "bioengineers and biomedical engineers must be creative to come up with innovations in healthcare equipment and devices." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained hospital equipment inventories and ensured proper maintenance of medical devices. "
Problem-solving skills. laser engineer responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically deal with intricate biological systems." This resume example shows what laser engineers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "investigated and resolved phenomena that might compromise efficacy of medical instrumentation on patient care. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for laser engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of laser engineers all the time, as "bioengineers and biomedical engineers use calculus and other advanced math and statistics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." An excerpt from a real laser engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a laser engineer does: "developed algorithms, math libraries, mathematical and statistical models. "
The three companies that hire the most laser engineers are:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory10 laser engineers jobs
- SpaceX8 laser engineers jobs
- MKS Instruments4 laser engineers jobs
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Compare different laser engineers
Laser engineer vs. Product development engineer
A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a laser engineer are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "optical engineering," "fiber laser," and "diode." On the other hand, a job as a product development engineer requires skills like "cad," "project management," "product design," and "prototype." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Product development engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $86,062. In contrast, laser engineers make the biggest average salary, $91,133, in the technology industry.The education levels that product development engineers earn slightly differ from laser engineers. In particular, product development engineers are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a laser engineer. Additionally, they're 2.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laser engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that laser engineer responsibilities requires skills like "matlab," "optical engineering," "fiber laser," and "diode." But a research and development engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "c #," "cad," and "patients."
On average, research and development engineers earn a higher salary than laser engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, research and development engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,654. Whereas laser engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $91,133.In general, research and development engineers achieve similar levels of education than laser engineers. They're 4.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laser engineer vs. Product design engineer
A Product Design Engineer designs new products that customers will want to purchase. They are responsible for designing, modeling, and testing prototypes for products.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a laser engineer is likely to be skilled in "data collection," "labview," "data analysis," and "optical engineering," while a typical product design engineer is skilled in "cad," "gd," "industrial design," and "creo."
Product design engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $116,796. Laser engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $91,133.When it comes to education, product design engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to laser engineers. In fact, they're 2.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Laser engineer vs. Mechanical design engineer
A mechanical design engineer specializes in designing various mechanical devices that will be vital in developing machinery or large structures. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around conducting thorough research and analysis, establishing layouts and prototypes, producing progress reports, and working alongside fellow engineers and skilled professionals. Typically assigned in an office setting, a mechanical design engineer must visit construction sites or factories to test and observe equipment qualities. Furthermore, during production, there are instances when a mechanical engineer must coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and clients.
Types of laser engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
