PIC Characterization Engineer

About the role

As a Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Characterization Engineer, you'll be responsible for developing and executing optical test methodologies to evaluate the performance of advanced photonic integrated circuits. Working closely with design, fabrication, and systems teams, you'll characterize new devices, analyze experimental results, and provide critical feedback to support product development. This role is ideal for someone with hands-on experience in optical testing who enjoys solving complex technical challenges in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and perform optical and electro-optical characterization of photonic integrated circuits and optoelectronic devices.
• Design, build, and maintain optical test setups for wafer-level and packaged device evaluation.
• Measure and analyze key performance metrics including insertion loss, wavelength response, coupling efficiency, bandwidth, and device reliability.
• Collaborate with PIC designers and process engineers to correlate measurement data with design and fabrication results.
• Automate test procedures and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or similar scripting tools.
• Support device validation, failure analysis, and performance optimization throughout the product development cycle.
• Document experimental results and present findings to cross-functional engineering teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience characterizing photonic integrated circuits, optical components, or optoelectronic devices.
• Hands-on experience with optical laboratory equipment such as tunable lasers, optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, optical switches, and high-speed detectors.
• Strong understanding of fiber alignment, optical coupling, and precision measurement techniques.
• Experience analyzing experimental data using Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.
• Knowledge of photonic device physics and semiconductor fabrication processes.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience with silicon photonics, quantum photonics, or integrated optical devices.
• Familiarity with automated optical test systems and wafer-level characterization.
• Experience testing lasers, modulators, photodetectors, or passive PIC components.
• Knowledge of RF or high-speed electro-optic measurement techniques.
• Experience working in a cleanroom or semiconductor fabrication environment.