Mission Readiness Engineer

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience : 3+ years of experience

Minimum Education : Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science, or related technical field.

Compensation: $120,000 - $160,000 depending on experience.

Travel: Project/Program-based travel required; estimated at 50%

Who We Are nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary Mission Readiness Engineers play a critical role in ensuring that the HADES Directed Energy System’s customer-facing features consistently showcase its capabilities. They stay informed about the latest operational advancements, maintain and update training materials, and strive for operator excellence as both skilled users and effective trainers. MR Engineers are expected to master the system, setting the standard for user expertise.

As field testers, Mission Readiness Engineers collaborate closely with developers, contributing to rapid system improvements and ensuring reliable performance in real-world scenarios. They lead customer training sessions, equip users with practical skills to operate laser systems, and gather feedback during training and field operations to inform product enhancements. Additionally, Mission Readiness Engineers are responsible for maintaining comprehensive training materials, developing maintenance manuals, and creating strategies for successfully deploying laser weapons to the warfighter.

Success in this position is demonstrated by the ability to efficiently train users, deliver actionable feedback to improve the HADES product line, and actively support both field and laboratory testing. If you’re passionate about advancing cutting-edge technology and sharing its benefits, this role is an excellent opportunity.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/ . Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities Operations

• Conduct field testing to validate system performance and readiness.
• Define and refine operational readiness criteria, identifying risks before deployment.
• Support field evaluations and customer exercises in real operational environments.

Training

• Develop training programs and documentation that enable confident system operation and sustainment.
• Serve as the primary liaison between users and engineering teams, strengthening customer relationships.
• Provide operational troubleshooting, customer support, and mission execution for fielded systems.

Evaluation

• Translate operational observations into actionable product requirements and partner with Technical Operations to mature capabilities.
• Build repeatable processes linking testing, training, deployment, and customer feedback into a continuous improvement cycle.

Required Experience \ Capability:

• Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and maintain composure and strong working relationships under pressure.
• Ability to execute work with minimal oversight, meeting mid- to long-term program milestones.
• Ability to execute pre-planned field testing in representative environments.
• Experience working with hardware and software systems such as robotics.
• Strong technical writing skills, including development of training materials, operational procedures, test plans, and/or after-action reports.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with military operators, government customers, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work within multi-disciplinary technical teams.
• Ability to translate operational observations and customer feedback into actionable product improvements and system requirements.
• Physical fitness and ability to work outdoors and potentially adverse weather conditions.

Desired Experiences

• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver technical training, operational instruction, and user enablement programs.
• Experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense programs, military operations, or defense acquisition activities.
• Experience developing and delivering technical and operational training programs.
• Experience with prototype or developmental systems, operational test, or field experimentation activities.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, drone(s) piloting experience, Mission Planner
• Military service or direct experience supporting military operations.

Benefits Summary

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for
• Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].