Senior Photonics Test Systems Engineer

We are looking for a hands-on photonics experimentalist and test systems engineer to design, build, and scale the systems used to measure, validate, and productionize our optical platform.

This is not a traditional “test execution” role.

You will own how optical systems are measured, from first prototypes through high-volume production. This includes defining measurement strategies, building custom test systems, developing automation and analysis frameworks, and closing the loop between design, fabrication, and system performance.

Key Responsibilities

Build & Own Optical Test Systems

Architect and develop custom electro-optical test platforms at wafer, die, and module levels

Design and integrate instrumentation such as optical spectrum analyzers, tunable lasers, polarization control systems, and RF/electro-optical measurement setups

Build scalable, production-ready test racks and infrastructure

Drive Measurement Strategy & Insight

Define and validate key optical performance metrics (e.g., insertion loss, return loss, polarization-dependent loss, chromatic dispersion)

Develop novel measurement techniques and calibration methods where needed

Use DOE, statistical methods, and modeling to extract signal and guide design decisions

Bridge R&D to Manufacturing

Own the transition from lab validation to high-volume production test

Establish MSA, CpK, SPC, and yield monitoring frameworks

Support transfer of test systems to contract manufacturers and production partners

Close the Loop with Design

Collaborate with photonics, device, and systems engineers to identify performance limitations and failure modes

Debug complex issues across optical, electrical, and mechanical domains

Drive design improvements based on test data

Build Automation & Data Systems

Develop scalable test automation frameworks using Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools

Create data pipelines and analysis tools (e.g., JMP, MATLAB, Python)

Enable rapid debugging, visualization, and data-driven decision-making

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

6+ years of experience in photonics test, optical systems, or experimental optics

Hands-on experience building and debugging optical measurement systems (not just running tests)

Familiarity with telecom, datacenter optics, or silicon photonics systems

Experience with wafer-, die-, or module-level characterization

Experience building test systems from scratch and scaling them into production

Ability to bridge design, test, and manufacturing workflows

Background working with transceivers, PICs, modulators, lasers, or optical switching systems

Strong understanding of optical measurement physics

Experience with DOE, SPC, GRR, and yield optimization

Optical instrumentation: OSA, tunable lasers, OTDR/OFDR, VNA, BERT, polarization systems

Automation: Python (preferred), LabVIEW/TestStand

Data analysis: JMP, MATLAB, or similar tools

Preferred Qualification

Direct product experience testing specific components like DWDM filters, Mux/Demux, circulators, couplers, switches, etc.

Comfortable working in a high-velocity, evolving environment with a willingness to travel to support manufacturing partners and field deployment as required

Intimate knowledge of all of the following optical metrics and their measurement techniques: IL, RL, WDL, PDL, CD, DGD, GDR, and MPI