IPG Defense, a stand-alone business of IPG Photonics, was incorporated in 2026 to provide direct support for defense products. Headquartered in Huntsville, AL, IPG Defense is bringing commercial scale to laser defense systems, leveraging IPG Photonics' more than 35 years of experience in fiber laser technology.
IPG Photonics is the world's leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers for diverse applications in numerous markets. IPG's diverse lines of low, medium and high-power lasers and amplifiers are used in materials processing, defense, medical, biotechnology, scientific and advanced applications. Founded in 1990, IPG pioneered the development and commercialization of optical fiber-based lasers — a critical technology in our high-energy laser (HEL) systems, including the CROSSBOW program.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Software Engineer – UX / Front-End develops operator dashboards and visualization tools for IPG’s defense-grade high-energy laser systems. This position combines UX design principles with high-performance C++/Qt development to create real-time control and situational-awareness interfaces for mission-critical applications. This opening targets a mid-level engineer; junior and senior candidates may also be considered, with level determined by experience and qualifications.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and implement intuitive, easy-to-use GUIs in C++/C# and Qt (including QML) for laser command, camera views, diagnostics, and health monitoring.
- Integrate real-time telemetry, video, and safety data into unified, low-latency visual displays.
- Work directly with system operators and test teams to refine workflows, run usability evaluations, and iterate on interface designs.
- Support AR-based visualization for alignment and targeting.
- Apply secure-coding, code-review, and CI practices across the interface codebase.
- Ensure adherence to DFARS cybersecurity and MIL-STD usability standards.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
- 3–7 years of experience in front-end or UX development for technical systems (junior and senior candidates considered at the appropriate level).
- Proficiency in C++ and C# with Qt/QML on Windows and Linux.
- Experience building real-time or data-rich interfaces (telemetry, monitoring, or control applications).
- Experience developing UI/UX for camera or video systems and/or defense systems, with a demonstrated focus on operator ease of use.
- Experience with GPU-accelerated rendering (OpenGL or similar).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Active DoD security clearance.
- AR/VR interface development experience (Unity or Unreal Engine).
- Experience with HMI design for mission-critical or safety-critical systems.
- Familiarity with defense UI/UX standards and human-factors principles.
- Experience with Java, CUDA, or video streaming pipelines (e.g., GStreamer).
- Experience conducting usability testing with end users.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Primarily office/lab setting; occasional travel to field sites and use of laser-safety PPE.
WHY JOIN IPG DEFENSE
- Work at the forefront of directed-energy and photonics innovation on systems that matter to national security.
- Vertically integrated technology: we design and build our own lasers, giving engineers end-to-end ownership from component to fielded system.
- Small, expert, fast-moving team in Huntsville, AL — one of the nation’s fastest-growing aerospace and defense hubs.
- Career growth through hands-on work across the full product lifecycle: concept, prototype, integration, field test, and production.
- Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package — see Compensation & Benefits below.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
- 3-7 years of experience in front-end or UX development for technical systems
- Proficiency in C++ and C# with Qt/QML on Windows and Linux
- Experience building real-time or data-rich interfaces for telemetry, monitoring, or control applications
- Experience developing UI/UX for camera, video, or defense systems with a focus on operator ease of use
- Experience with GPU-accelerated rendering, such as OpenGL
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Active DoD security clearance
- AR/VR interface development experience with Unity or Unreal Engine
- Experience with HMI design for mission-critical or safety-critical systems
- Familiarity with defense UI/UX standards and human-factors principles
- Experience with Java, CUDA, or video streaming pipelines such as GStreamer
- Experience conducting usability testing with end users
IPG Photonics Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IPG Photonics and has not been reviewed or approved by IPG Photonics.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan offers a 15% discount with a lookback feature and is available in the U.S. and Germany. This broad-based equity program is consistently highlighted as a standout component of total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO typically starts around three weeks with growth over tenure, alongside roughly 10–12 paid holidays and noted carryover options. Time-off policies are often viewed as a strong part of the package.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Annual bonuses are emphasized as a meaningful part of total compensation. Company materials and role descriptions explicitly include bonuses as part of the offering.
IPG Photonics Insights
What We Do
IPG Photonics is the world leader in fiber laser technology, offering solutions for applications across a wide array of industries. Headquartered in Marlborough, USA, the company has developed a robust, vertically integrated supply chain, developing key technology components in-house, thus enabling the most reliable, powerful, and efficient laser solutions. With over 30 locations across the globe, we are committed to developing innovative products that provide reliable, cost-effective solutions for our customers’ needs.
