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Senior Principal Opto-Electronics Test Engineer

Monarch Quantum · San Diego, CA · 2 days ago
On-siteEngineering$180k–$260k/yrFull-time

About the role

This is a senior individual contributor role with broad technical scope — spanning device-level characterization through system-level validation — and direct influence over how opto-electronic hardware is qualified and released across the organization.

Responsibilities

  • Test Infrastructure & Automation Architect, develop, and maintain automated test systems for opto-electronic device and subsystem characterization, including hardware control layers, data acquisition pipelines, and reporting frameworks.

  • Define and implement standardized test methodologies across device, module, and system levels; establish traceability from test results to product specifications.

  • Drive the selection, procurement, and qualification of test equipment — optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, lock-in amplifiers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, and custom instrumentation.

  • Develop software-controlled test sequences using Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent environments; integrate instrument control with data management and analysis workflows.

  • Maintain calibration records and measurement uncertainty budgets for critical test assets.

  • Device & Component Characterization

    • Execute and oversee L-I-V characterization, spectral analysis, beam quality (M², beam profile), and noise/linewidth measurements on laser sources and opto-electronic components.

    • Develop fiber and free-space optical test benches for insertion loss, return loss, polarization-dependent loss, and connector/fiber end-face qualification.

    • Characterize electro-optic and acousto-optic components under application-relevant drive conditions; document performance against specification.

    • Characterize magneto-optic Faraday rotators and isolators under application-relevant drive conditions; document performance against specification.

    • Support LIDT (laser-induced damage threshold) and fiber damage threshold testing protocols for high-power optical systems.

  • System-Level Validation

    • Lead system-level validation campaigns for integrated opto-electronic assemblies; define test plans, acceptance criteria, and failure mode coverage.

    • Develop environmental and reliability test protocols — thermal cycling, vibration, humidity, burn-in — in alignment with applicable industry standards.

    • Execute and coordinate laser safety testing and classification in accordance with IEC 60825-1; support regulatory submissions and compliance documentation.

    • Collaborate with systems engineers and physicists to validate opto-electronic system performance against AMO experimental requirements.

    • Conduct root cause analysis on test failures and drive corrective action through verified resolution.

  • Standards, Documentation & Cross-Functional Leadership

    • Author and maintain test plans, procedures, characterization reports, and validation summaries to an engineering documentation standard.

    • Serve as the internal technical authority on opto-electronic test methodology; provide guidance to junior engineers and review test-related work products.

    • Interface with external vendors, contract test labs, and standards bodies as required.

    • Contribute to design reviews with test coverage assessments and design-for-testability recommendations.

Qualifications

  • B.S. or M.S. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field; Ph.D. a plus but not required.
  • 10+ years of hands-on opto-electronic test and characterization experience in an industrial or R&D environment — telecom, datacom, optical interconnect, or laser systems strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and deploying automated test systems for opto-electronic devices or modules.
  • Strong proficiency with optical measurement instrumentation and the underlying measurement physics.
  • Proficiency in Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent for instrument control and test automation; familiarity with data management and statistical analysis tools.
  • Working knowledge of relevant standards: IEC 60825-1, IEC 61300-series (fiber optic interconnects), Telcordia/GR-series reliability standards, or equivalent.
  • Experience authoring formal test documentation: test plans, procedures, validation reports, and traceability matrices.
  • Laser safety training (LSO certification or equivalent) preferred.

Skills

  • Experience designing and deploying automated test systems for opto-electronic devices or modules.
  • Strong proficiency with optical measurement instrumentation and the underlying measurement physics.
  • Proficiency in Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent for instrument control and test automation; familiarity with data management and statistical analysis tools.
  • Working knowledge of relevant standards: IEC 60825-1, IEC 61300-series (fiber optic interconnects), Telcordia/GR-series reliability standards, or equivalent.
  • Experience authoring formal test documentation: test plans, procedures, validation reports, and traceability matrices.
  • Laser safety training (LSO certification or equivalent) preferred.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
  • 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
  • 13 paid company holidays
  • 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

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