Experiences at nLight Phontonics

I have been with nLIGHT since 2005.

The most effective way to get hired into nLight is through a referral by an of nLight.
nLIGHT focuses it hiring on three factors:
Skill (technical ability to do the job);
Will (desire and commitment to belong and contribute);
Fit (how well will you get along with others and also reflect integrity in what you do).

nLight has grown from about 85 people in 2005 to more than 325 in early 2008. Our retention rate is quite high - one of the reasons for this is that everyone really enjoys each other here and what we are doing as a company. nLight supplements this culture with surprise events that are fun for everyone. We have potluck BBQ's in our parking lot about once a month or so. We also have had surprise ice cream socials or pizza festivals at lunch time just as a way of saying "Thanks" to the employees.

The employees at nLIGHT are also actively involved in community initiatives such as "Komen Race for the Cure" (Womens breast cancer research), The Vancouver Commute Trip Reduction program - where employees band together and ride share or get credits for riding bicycles to and from work, Girl and Boy Scout's programs as well as nLight own MAPP program. MAPP was developed a couple of years ago by nLight to help bolster science, engineering and math programs in high schools/colleges.
Our engineers get to take a paid day per month to teach in the schools.
The program has since expanded the past couple of years - it recently received a $13 Million grant and is now hiring a staff to help expend the program so that other technology firms and schools can participate in it.

nLight is a privately held company - in time all employees are hoping that we will go public. The company has extended stock options to all employees so that they can participate in the event when we do go public in the future. While this in a fun thing to consider; it is not the reason we are all here though. It has more to do with the technology we develop, the company we are building, the cultural foundation we are laying and the joy of working with really nice, professional people who share a common vision.

The culture is dynamic and fast paced. It is not for everyone. But if you enjoy coming into a vibrant and growing late stage start up and making a mark on a company that is consistently recognized and awarded for its growth and achievements; this may be a dream come true for you.

For those of us already at nLight - we think it is....