Senior Photonics Test Systems Engineer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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