Principal Laser Engineer

Company: Alcon Research
Location: Lake Forest
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers. We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. As a Principal Laser Engineer in Lake Forest, CA, you will be trusted to advance the development of highly innovative ophthalmic medical devices through research, development, and upscaling. In this role, you will also mentor peers, lead multidisciplinary teams, and ensure adherence to regulatory and quality standards. This role is part of Alcon's Research & Development function, a team that innovates boldly and delivers new products and services to help revolutionize the eye care industry, advance optimal patient outcomes and help people see brilliantly. This role requires deep expertise in laser systems engineering, integration, and testing, with a focus on innovation, compliance, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This role is ideal for a self-starter with a passion for innovation and continuous learning, who thrives in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment and is committed to advancing eye care technology. Key job responsibilities include: Lead the development of complex laser systems, applying broad and deep expertise across solid?state, fiber?based, and semiconductor laser architectures, with a strong emphasis on manufacturability and long?term reliability. Drive innovation in ultrafast laser and nonlinear optical system design. Develop and model laser systems, including cavity configurations, stability assessments, and dynamic behavior. Facilitate cross?functional design and trade?off reviews, collaborating with teams across engineering disciplines. Contribute to strategy development and proactively identify technical, schedule, and commercial risks. Construct and track progress against detailed development plans. Apply phased?gate development and design?control methodologies. Serve as a subject?matter expert for lasers, semiconductors, and optoelectronics, mentoring peers and providing technical guidance. Support intellectual property matters. Stay current on market and technology trends in lasers and photonics, integrating relevant advancements and research insights into product development strategies. Incorporate understanding of laser?tissue interaction into design considerations. Contribute to the development of fiber?optic?based energy delivery components. Ensure rigorous quality control and documentation, driving compliance with GxP regulations, standard operating procedures, and internal quality standards. WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON: Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school 13 yrs; Assoc.9 yrs; M.S.2 yrs; PhD0 yrs) The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English 5 Years of Relevant Experience Education in optics, applied physics, physics, or electrical engineering. Experience in laser systems development. Proven experience in leading teams, developing complex laser systems, and managing product development lifecycles. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Excellent written and oral communication skills. HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON: Join Alcon’s mission to provide top-tier, innovative products and solutions to enhance sight & enhance lives. Grow your career in a highly collaborative and diverse environment. Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, paid time off, and much more! Relocation assistance is available for this position. Visa sponsorship is available for this position. Alcon Careers See your impact at alcon.com.careers ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site. Find Jobs for Employees Find Jobs for Contingent Worker Total Rewards Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align to incentives with business goals, encourage the right values and behaviors, and deliver long-term value. The first layer of our rewards program is compensation. We offer a combination of fixed pay and variable pay, which includes short-term incentives, and long-term incentives for eligible population. Our benefits program provides security for life events through life and disability insurance, supports savings for retirement, promotes good health and well-being and supports associates and their families during times of illness. To learn more about Alcon’s Corporate Social Responsibility including our Total Rewards, click here Pay Range $115,500.00 - $192,500.00 Pay Frequency Annual Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Keywords: Alcon Research, La Quinta , Principal Laser Engineer, Science, Research & Development , Lake Forest, California