Optical Automation Engineer

About the role

This role involves blending hands-on optical lab work with software development to automate measurements, integrate optical instruments, and collaborate with engineers across various disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Support and improve automated optical test systems used for development and validation.
• Work directly with optical lab equipment (e.g., Optical Spectrum Analyzers, power meters, optical switches) and help integrate it into automated workflows.
• Develop and maintain test automation software (primarily C in LabWindows/CVI and Python).
• Help troubleshoot issues across optical setup behavior, instrument communication, and software.
• Learn an existing codebase and contribute improvements in a structured, maintainable way.
• Participate in code reviews and incorporate feedback to improve quality and reliability.
• Document requirements and decisions, create well-scoped tickets, and keep work status updated.
• Collaborate with teammates across software, optics, hardware, and mechanical engineering.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Physics, Optics/Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience in optics/telecom.
• Hands-on or theoretical knowledge of fiber optics, lasers, detectors, modulation, attenuation/OSNR, WDM, link budgets, and basic telecom concepts.
• Comfortable in labs and with test setups.
• Experience controlling instruments via VISA/SCPI, serial, USB, Ethernet, or GPIB.
• Programming experience in Python and C/C++ (OOP); familiar with Windows APIs/DLLs.
• Able to learn and write production-quality code with support.
• Exposure to C-based test automation and automating repetitive tasks (scripts, small tools, data collection/analysis).
• Experience with optical test equipment (OSA, powermeter, tunable lasers, optical switches, attenuators).
• Experience debugging HW/SW interactions (labs, capstone, internships, or industry).
• Familiar with software-quality practices including version control, testing, and code reviews.
• Strong collaboration and communication such as asking clarifying questions, sharing progress, and documenting outcomes.

Benefits

The selected candidate will be eligible for a base salary ranging from $125,000 to $140,000 per year, with the possibility of variable pay in the form of a monetary bonus or other forms. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region.