Senior Laser Design & Simulation Engineer

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Kaiser Dr or Goleta - Pine Ave Office, CA 94555Salary Range: $136,000.00 - $160,000.00 Salary/yearCompany Introduction KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc. (KSLD) is a global leader in the commercialization of gallium nitride (GaN) based laser light sources. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KYOCERA Corporation, KSLD combines advanced laser innovation with the strength, scale, and manufacturing excellence of a global technology leader.   KSLD develops and manufactures high performance LaserLight™ solutions engineered to deliver exceptional brightness, efficiency, and reliability. Our GaN laser technologies enable a wide range of applications, including automotive and mobility, specialty and portable lighting, projection and AR/VR displays, biomedical instrumentation, industrial imaging, and emerging communication technologies such as LiFi. With vertically integrated capabilities and deep technical expertise, KSLD collaborates closely with customers to deliver application specific laser solutions, accelerating development timelines from concept through production. The company operates advanced R&D and manufacturing facilities in Santa Barbara, CA and Fremont, CA, supporting both innovation and high volume manufacturing needs.   KSLD is ISO 14001 & 45001 certified compliant for automotive applications, and its products meet rigorous UL and IEC safety standards, reflecting a strong commitment to quality, safety, and reliability.   Recognized by Fortune magazine’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production™, KSLD fosters an employee centric culture built on collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous innovation. Guided by a mission to engineer the future of light, KSLD develops laser based solutions that power next generation mobility, consumer, specialty lighting, and industrial technologies. KSLD will continue to pioneer the future of light by developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative laser based products with high efficiency and luminance for mobility, specialty lighting, consumer, and industrial applications. To learn more about KSLD, visit www.kyocerasldlaser.com or contact the company at info@kyocerasldlaser.com or 18667535273. QualificationsJob Description   Kyocera SLD Laser is seeking a Senior Laser Design & Simulation Engineer to support the development of next generation semiconductor laser devices. This role focuses on laser physics, device modeling, simulation, and experimental correlation in support of product and technology development activities. The successful candidate will work as an individual contributor and collaborate closely with epitaxy, test, process, and product engineering teams to optimize laser performance and accelerate technology development for automotive, AR/VR, industrial, biomedical, and display applications.   Specific Responsibilities This is primarily a design and modeling role, with expected hands on engagement in device characterization, correlation, and technical problem solving.   Laser Device Design & Physics Based Simulation Support the design and optimization of semiconductor laser structures, including MQW active regions, waveguides, DFB/DBR cavities, and optical confinement schemes. Develop and execute physics based semiconductor laser simulations, including epitaxial heterostructure, band structure, waveguide, and optical modeling, to guide device design, performance tradeoffs, and risk reduction. Perform sensitivity and margin analyses for threshold current, slope efficiency, wall plug efficiency, wavelength stability, SMSR, linewidth, polarization, beam quality, and thermal performance. Correlate simulation predictions with experimental data and calibrate models accordingly.   Epitaxy to Device Codesign Contribute to defining epitaxial structure requirements based on device performance objectives, including layer thickness, composition, doping, and confinement design. Collaborate closely with the epitaxy team to define growth strategies that balance performance, yield, reliability, and manufacturability. Plan and execute data driven design of experiments (DOE) to accelerate convergence from concept to robust device designs.   Testing, Characterization, reliability & Correlation Participate directly in laser diode characterization activities, including LIV measurements, spectral analysis, wavelength characterization, beam measurements, and reliability assessments. Collaborate with test engineering to develop or refine test setups, automation, and measurement methodologies. Analyze experimental data and support diagnosis of performance or reliability limitations through physics based root cause analysis. Apply structured problem solving, statistical techniques, and continuous improvement methods.   Technical Contributions Contribute to innovative laser device concepts and technology development activities. Support patent disclosures, technical reports, and presentations as appropriate. Collaborate effectively with cross functional engineering teams and clearly communicate technical findings.   Experience and Skills   MS min 3yrs experience, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or 510+yrs in related field. Experience must be in semiconductor lasers, photonics, optoelectronic devices, or related technology development. Strong understanding of semiconductor laser fundamentals, including optical gain, waveguides, optical confinement, threshold behavior, efficiency mechanisms, and cavity concepts. Experience with semiconductor laser simulation, optical modeling, or device physics analysis, with demonstrated ability to correlate simulation results with experimental data. Handson experience with laser or photonic device characterization and data analysis, such as LIV, spectral, gain, waveguide loss, beam, or thermal measurements. Proficiency with simulation tools such as Photon Design modules, COMSOL, Lumerical, or equivalent, and data analysis software such as Mini Tab, JMP, MATLAB, or Python. Experience with DOE, SPC, and structured problemsolving methodologies (Six Sigma familiarity a plus). Excellent written and verbal communication skills—able to clearly summarize complex technical results for crossfunctional audiences. Highly selfmotivated, organized, and capable of managing multiple technical workstreams independently. Experience with semiconductor laser devices (IIIV) is required. Experience with GaN based laser or LED technologies is desired but not required. Preferred Qualifications Experience with GaN based optoelectronic devices. Experience with DFB or DBR laser structures. Familiarity with epitaxial growth and semiconductor device processing. Knowledge of laser reliability and failure analysis techniques. Experience with DOE, statistical analysis, SPC, or Six Sigma methodologies.       The full time base salary range for the position of MTS Laser Physics Design and Development Engineer is $136,000 to $160,000 per annum. The range reflects the minimum and maximum possible base salary for new hires for the role, based on the advertised location. Individual pay is determined by several factors including work location, job related skills, experience, and relevant education and training. For more information about the base salary range applicable to the work location, talk to the recruiter.   Kyocera SLD Laser, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws.    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements of personnel as classified.