A method is provided for aligning a workpiece in a laser drilling system. The method includes: providing a workpiece having at least two substantially planar and parallel surfaces, including a first planar surface in which ablations are formed therein by the laser drilling system; propagating an alignment beam of light towards a second planar surface of the workpiece, the alignment beam being incident on and reflected by the second planar surface, thereby forming a reflected beam of light; measuring a reflection angle of the reflected beam; and determining alignment information for the workpiece based on the measured reflection angle of the reflected beam. The method may further include adjusting alignment of the workpiece based on the alignment information.