17 Laser Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Laser engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing lasers and laser-based systems. These systems have a wide range of applications, including precision cutting and welding, medical diagnosis and treatment, and communications.

If you’re interested in becoming a laser engineer, you’ll need to have a strong background in physics and math. You’ll also need to be able to think creatively to solve problems and develop new applications for lasers.

During a laser engineer job interview, you’ll be asked questions about your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with lasers. You may also be asked about your experience with designing and developing laser-based systems.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample laser engineer interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with hazardous materials?

Laser engineers may need to work with hazardous materials, such as chemicals and gases. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary experience working with these types of materials. In your answer, explain that you are comfortable working with hazardous materials. Explain how you would handle a situation where you needed to work with a dangerous material.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with hazardous materials. I worked at my previous job for three years, and we had to use many different types of hazardous materials. For example, we used lasers to cut metal, which required us to wear protective eyewear. We also used toxic gases in our laser cutting process. I was always careful when handling these materials. If I ever needed to work with them again, I would follow all safety precautions.”

What are the most important skills for a laser engineer to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to share two or three of the most important skills for a laser engineer and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The most important skill for a laser engineer is problem-solving because it’s crucial to be able to solve any issues that may arise during the design process. Another important skill is communication, as it’s vital to clearly communicate with other team members about what you’re working on. Finally, I think math and science skills are essential because they allow you to understand how lasers work.”

How do you determine the specifications for a new laser system?

This question can help the interviewer understand your decision-making process and how you apply your knowledge to create a new laser system. Use examples from past projects to explain how you analyze specifications, consider costs and develop a design that meets client needs.

Example: “I first determine what type of laser I need for the project by researching different types of lasers and their applications. Then, I evaluate the specifications needed for each application, such as power output, wavelength and pulse duration. After determining these specifications, I calculate the cost of each specification and compare it with my client’s budget to find an appropriate balance between price and performance.”

What is your experience with working with fiber optics?

Fiber optics is a common technology used in laser engineering. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer determine your experience with fiber optics and how you might apply it to their organization. If you have no prior experience working with fiber optics, consider describing another relevant technology that uses similar processes or techniques.

Example: “In my last position as a laser engineer, I worked on several projects involving fiber optics. One of these projects was for a telecommunications company where we were tasked with creating a more efficient system for transmitting data through fiber optic cables. We developed a new method for encoding data into light pulses using fiber optics. This allowed us to increase the speed at which data could be transmitted by up to 50%.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot a laser system.

This question can allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot a laser system. You can answer this question by providing an example of how you used your critical thinking, communication and technical skills to solve the issue.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to use a laser cutter to cut through metal. However, when we started cutting, the machine would only cut halfway through the metal before stopping. After talking with my team members about the issue, we determined that there was a problem with the power supply. We then had to figure out what caused the power supply to stop working so we could fix it.”

If hired, what area of laser engineering would you like to focus on?

This question helps the interviewer determine your level of interest in laser engineering and whether you have a specific area of focus. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an aspect of laser engineering that interests you or something you would like to learn more about.

Example: “I am very interested in working with lasers on a smaller scale, such as those used for 3D printing. I think there are many applications for these types of lasers, and I would love to work on developing new ways to use them.”

What would you do if you discovered a safety issue with a laser system you designed?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to identify and fix problems with your designs. In your answer, explain how you would address the issue and what steps you would take to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I discovered a safety issue with one of my designs, I would first try to determine if there was an easy way to fix it. If not, I would immediately inform my supervisor so they could work with management to find a solution. Depending on the severity of the problem, I may need to redesign the entire system or implement new safety measures. Either way, I would do everything in my power to ensure that the same mistake didn’t happen again.”

How well do you understand basic physics and mathematics?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of the fundamentals of laser engineering. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have with these subjects and how it has helped you in your career.

Example: “I understand basic physics and mathematics quite well, as I had a lot of exposure to them throughout my education. In fact, I find that they are useful tools for solving problems when designing lasers. For example, I once worked on a project where we needed to create a laser that could cut through metal at a specific angle. Using trigonometry, I was able to calculate the exact distance between two mirrors so that the laser would reflect off of them at the right angle.”

Do you have experience with programming and coding?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with computer programming and coding. If you have previous experience, share what languages you know and how it has helped you in your career. If you don’t have any coding or programming experience, you can talk about your ability to learn new things quickly and ask for an opportunity to gain this skill if needed.

Example: “I do not have much experience with coding but I am very good at learning new things. In my last position, I was tasked with creating a laser system that would cut through metal. I had no prior knowledge of coding, so I researched online and found several resources that taught me how to code using Python. This allowed me to create a program that could control the laser’s speed and power.”

When working in a team environment, how do you share and communicate your ideas and suggestions?

Teamwork is an important skill for laser engineers to have. Employers ask this question to see if you can work well with others and communicate your ideas effectively. In your answer, explain how you collaborate with your team members and share your thoughts and opinions in a productive way.

Example: “I find that it’s beneficial to meet one-on-one with my teammates to discuss my ideas and suggestions. This allows me to get feedback from them on what they think of my idea and whether or not there are any improvements I could make. Then, I bring up the same idea at our next meeting as a group so everyone can hear about it together. This helps me receive input from everyone else and ensures that we’re all on the same page.”

We want to expand our business into the medical industry. What are the basic components of a medical laser system?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the laser industry and how it works. It also allows you to show that you have experience working in this field, which can be beneficial if you are applying for an entry-level position. When answering this question, make sure to include all of the basic components of a medical laser system.

Example: “The main components of a medical laser system are the power supply, controller, cooling system, beam delivery system and safety interlock system. The power supply provides energy to the entire system, while the controller regulates the amount of power going into the system. The cooling system cools down the lasing medium so that it doesn’t overheat. The beam delivery system focuses the light onto the target area. Finally, the safety interlock system prevents any damage from occurring.”

Describe your experience with using 3D modeling software.

Laser engineers use 3D modeling software to create and test designs before they’re built. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using these programs, as well as how you apply what you’ve learned in the past to new projects. In your answer, try to describe your previous experience with 3D modeling software and how it helped you complete your work.

Example: “In my last role, I used SolidWorks for all of my design work. This program allowed me to create models that were both aesthetically pleasing and functional. I also used SolidWorks to collaborate with other laser engineers on a project where we needed to share our designs with each other. Using SolidWorks made it easy to send files to others so we could review them together.”

What makes lasers unique compared to other light sources?

Laser technology is a unique field, and the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have an in-depth understanding of how lasers work. In your answer, try to explain what makes lasers different from other light sources and why that’s important. You can also mention some specific applications for laser technology.

Example: “Lasers are unique because they’re monochromatic, which means they only emit one color of light. This property allows them to be highly efficient at transmitting information or performing certain tasks like cutting metal. Lasers are also coherent, meaning all the photons within the beam travel in phase with each other. This feature gives lasers their ability to focus tightly on a single point.”

Which other engineering disciplines do you find most helpful when working on laser systems?

This question can help the interviewer understand your skill set and how you approach engineering projects. Your answer can also reveal which other disciplines you feel comfortable working with, which can be helpful if the company has a variety of engineers on staff. When preparing for this question, think about what skills or knowledge from other engineering fields would be most beneficial to laser systems.

Example: “I find that mechanical and electrical engineering are both very useful when working on laser systems. Mechanical engineering helps me design the system’s components, while electrical engineering allows me to create the power supply needed to run the lasers. I’ve also found that physics is quite helpful in understanding how different elements affect the overall operation of the system.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being a laser engineer?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of what your daily responsibilities are as a laser engineer and how you approach them. Your answer should include a specific example of a challenge you faced in this role and how you overcame it.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a laser engineer is ensuring that all of our projects meet their deadlines. I have found that setting realistic goals for myself helps me to stay on track with my work. For instance, when working on a project at my last job, I set weekly goals for myself so that I could check in on my progress throughout the week. This helped me feel more confident about meeting my overall deadline.”

How often do you perform routine maintenance on the lasers you design?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Your answer should include a specific example of when you performed maintenance on a laser and what steps you took to complete it successfully.

Example: “I perform routine maintenance on the lasers I design every six months, which is standard for most companies that use my designs. In my last position, I would check the power levels of each laser before performing any maintenance to ensure they were operating at their maximum capacity. Then, I would clean the exterior of the lasers using specialized cleaning solutions to remove any dust or debris from the surface. Finally, I would test the lasers again to make sure they were still operating at full power.”

There is a problem with a laser system you designed. How do you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and solve problems. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to think critically and commitment to quality work.

Example: “If there is a problem with a laser system I designed, I first try to determine if it’s something that can be fixed or if it requires me to redesign the entire system. If I need to redesign the system, I start by identifying what went wrong with the previous design and then create new specifications for the system based on those findings. Then, I begin designing the new system using my engineering knowledge and software programs.”