About this role
<p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">ENABLE your future through light.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Excelitas is a global technology leader with more than 7,500 employees, focused on delivering market-driven solutions to fulfill the illumination, optical, detection and imaging needs of OEMs and end-users across the biomedical, semiconductor, industrial, consumer products, scientific, security, defense and aerospace sectors.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">ENGAGE with us today and make your contribution to the future! Join the team that leading technology companies turn to for cutting-edge photonic innovation. At Excelitas Technologies you are how we EXCEL.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"> </p> <div>Excelitas is looking to hire an <strong>R&D Manager (Team Leader)</strong> to join our team of leaders and innovators in our Gaithersburg, MD location!</div> <div> </div> <div>We are looking for an experienced Plasma Physicist and R&D Team Leader to drive the development of microwave-driven plasma light sources and UV bulb technologies for advanced photonics and industrial applications. In this role, you will combine deep expertise in plasma physics and microwave engineering with hands-on laboratory work, simulation, and the leadership of a small engineering team.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Your Role and Responsibilities:</strong></div> <div><span style="text-decoration:underline">Team Leadership</span></div> <div>• Lead a small team of engineers and technicians: assign project tasks, track progress, and ensure timely delivery.</div> <div>• Provide technical guidance and mentorship on microwave and plasma projects, supporting the professional development of junior engineers.</div> <div>• Participate in the hiring process for engineering roles within the team.</div> <div>Plasma & Microwave System New Product Development</div> <div>• Develop, model, and test microwave-driven plasma light sources and UV bulb technologies for photonics and industrial applications.</div> <div>• Design and optimize plasma discharge systems for efficient ultraviolet generation, including bulb geometry, gas composition, pressure regimes, and microwave coupling structures.</div> <div>• Develop and analyze electromagnetic and plasma simulations to optimize microwave coupling, plasma stability, and UV output efficiency.</div> <div>Experimental Validation & Testing</div> <div>• Perform experimental validation and laboratory testing of microwave plasma lamps, including power coupling efficiency, spectral output, thermal performance, and lifetime testing.</div> <div>• Analyze results and translate findings into design improvements and product specifications.</div> <div>Technical Collaboration & Support</div> <div>• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions with internal and external teams to meet product performance, reliability, and cost targets.</div> <div>• Provide technical support for plasma light source systems, including troubleshooting, performance optimization, and application-specific integration.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>What Is Required for This Role</strong></div> <div><span style="text-decoration:underline">Education & Background</span></div> <div>• PhD or MS in Plasma Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.</div> <div>• Demonstrated experience in plasma discharge physics, microwave plasmas, or gas discharge lamps, preferably in R&D or product development environments.</div> <div>• Previous experience leading a small R&D engineering team.</div> <div> </div> <div><span style="text-decoration:underline">Technical Skills</span></div> <div>• Strong understanding of microwave–plasma interaction, RF power coupling, and electromagnetic wave propagation.</div> <div>• Experience with plasma diagnostics such as optical emission spectroscopy or RF/microwave measurement techniques.</div> <div>• Familiarity with microwave resonant structures, RF power delivery systems, or cavity design for plasma generation.</div> <div>• Proficiency with simulation tools for electromagnetic or plasma modeling (e.g., COMSOL Multiphysics or equivalent).</div> <div>• Knowledge of UV light generation mechanisms, gas mixtures, and lamp materials used in high-intensity photonics applications.</div> <div> </div> <div><span style="text-decoration:underline">Professional Skills</span></div> <div>• Strong analytical, experimental, and problem-solving skills in plasma and photonics systems.</div> <div>• Effective communication and technical documentation skills.</div> <div>• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to fast-paced R&D environments.</div> <div> </div> <div>Benefits are effective 1st day of employment.</div> <div> </div> <div>Salary range is $130,000 - $140,000 depending on experience</div> <div> </div> <div>#LI-AW1</div><p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">This position requires the use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) </span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Visa sponsorship is not available for any position at Excelitas </span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minorities/Females/Disability/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Excelitas is seeking leaders and innovators to join our global team! </span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11.0px"><span style="font-size:14.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Visit: <a href="https://jobs.excelitas.com/" style="color:#467886;text-decoration:underline">https://jobs.excelitas.com/</a></span></span></p>