Job Description

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is a publicly funded research institute, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is home to a diverse community of leading scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and researchers from across the globe, transforming problems and roadblocks into pioneering research and technology prototypes that help move society ahead.
The Directed Energy Research Center seeking a highly motivated Laser Engineer with strong hands-on experience in high-power fiber laser design, assembly, and testing. The candidate will be directly involved in building advanced CW and pulsed fiber laser systems (1-10+ kW class), contributing to both R&D and prototype-to-product transition phases.
The ideal candidate combines theoretical understanding of laser physics with practical engineering skills in optics, fiber components, and thermal management.
Key Responsibilities

• Design and build high-power fiber laser systems, including MOPA and single-oscillator architectures
• Deep knowledge and hands-on skills of optical fiber components such as pump combiners, FBGs, active fibers and other
• Integrate optical, electrical, and thermal subsystems, ensuring mechanical stability, beam quality, and power scalability.
• Conduct optical alignment, splicing, and fiber handling (SMF, PM fibers, LMA fibers).
• Characterize laser performance: measure optical power, spectral linewidth, beam quality (M), efficiency, and thermal behavior.
• Troubleshoot and optimize system performance, identifying root causes of instabilities or optical damage.
• Collaborate with specialists in electronics, mechanics, and controls to develop integrated, field-ready laser platforms.
• Support documentation, testing procedures, and compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor or MSc in Physics, Photonics, Optoelectronics, or related Engineering field.
• 5+ years industrial hands-on experience in fiber laser design and assembly, preferably high-power
• Proficiency with fiber components handling and architectures (isolators, WDMs, combiners, FBGs, tap couplers).
• Experience with optical power measurements, spectrometers, beam profilers, and thermal control systems.
• Solid understanding of optical gain, nonlinear effects, ASE management, and thermal loading in high-power systems.
• High-level skills in fusion splicing, including SMF, LMA fibers and PM fibers.
• Familiarity with laser safety standards and risk assessment.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of CAD tools (SolidWorks, FreeCAD or others) and electronic control interfaces.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary R&D environment and lead specific development tasks.

Soft Skills

• Analytical, methodical, and hands-on problem-solver.
• Capable of working under tight deadlines and evolving requirements.
• Team-oriented mindset with proactive communication.
• Strong communication and documentation skills in English.

At TII, we help society to overcome its biggest hurdles through a rigorous approach to scientific discovery and inquiry, using state-of-the-art facilities and collaboration with leading international institutions. Our rigorous discovery and inquiry-based approach helps to forge new and disruptive breakthroughs in advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, digital security, directed energy, quantum computing and secure systems.

Skills Required