Optical Validation Engineer, Tech Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end validation and characterization of Optical Engines integrating EIC and PIC in multiple Silicon Photonic architectures.
• Develop comprehensive test plans, methodologies, and automation frameworks for optical, electrical, and electro-optical performance metrics (e.g., BER, eye diagrams, insertion loss, extinction ratio, receiver sensitivity, transmitter power).
• Perform detailed characterization of key building blocks: modulators, photodetectors, lasers, waveguides, couplers, and high-speed EIC/PIC interfaces.
• Validate co-packaged optics performance including high-speed electrical interfaces (SerDes, UCIe), thermal management, signal integrity, power integrity, and optical coupling efficiency.
• Design and implement test setups for wafer-level, package-level, and system-level testing, including active alignment, thermal cycling, reliability stress, and environmental qualification.
• Collaborate closely with PIC Design, EIC Design, Packaging, Test Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to close design-for-test (DfT) and design-for-manufacturability (DfM) gaps.
• Analyze large datasets from validation runs, perform failure analysis, root cause investigation, and drive corrective actions.
• Support bring-up and debug of silicon photonics prototypes and optical modules.
• Define and execute qualification plans per industry standards (Telcordia, GR-468, JEDEC, etc.).
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to intellectual property through patents and technical publications.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years (Senior) of hands-on experience in silicon photonics or optical transceiver validation.
• Strong experience with EIC/PIC co-design validation, multiple Optical Configurations.
• Expertise in high-speed optical and electrical testing: BER testers, sampling oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, tunable lasers, optical power meters, and automated test equipment.
• Proficiency with photonic test automation (Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent) and data analysis tools (JMP, MATLAB, Python/Pandas).
• Deep understanding of optical coupling, thermal effects in 2.5D/3D packaging, and high-speed signal integrity challenges in CPO systems.
• Familiarity with industry standards for reliability and qualification of photonic components.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience validating production-grade silicon photonics modules for hyperscale data centers or AI clusters.
• Knowledge of advanced packaging technologies (2.5D, 3D stacking, hybrid bonding, interposers).
• Experience with high-speed SerDes (112G/224G PAM4) and optical I/O chiplets.
• Track record of shipping high-volume optical products.
• Publications or patents in silicon photonics or co-packaged optics.

Benefits

Salary range is $175,000 to $215,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.