Photonics Test Engineer

Photonics Test Engineer PIC Characterization & Automation

Can you take a photonic chip from “it should work” to “here’s the data proving it does”?

I’m working with early-stage hardware companies developing advanced integrated photonic systems and looking for engineers who can own the test and characterization side of the development cycle.

These teams are building new photonic hardware that needs optical and electro-optical test infrastructure to move from prototype devices into reliable systems.

What you could work on:

PIC testing and characterization

Fiber-to-chip coupling and alignment

Optical / electro-optical test setups

Python-based automation

Lasers, modulators, detectors, waveguides and couplers

Insertion loss, bandwidth, coupling efficiency and polarization

Reliability and failure analysis

Cryogenic test experience is a bonus

What they’re looking for:

Hands-on experience testing photonic integrated circuits, not just free-space optics.

The strongest candidates will be comfortable building setups from scratch, automating measurements, debugging unexpected device behaviour and feeding results back into design and fabrication teams.

US-based, onsite opportunities

$150K–$220K base + equity, depending on experience

If your background sits at the intersection of integrated photonics, optical characterization and automation, I’d love to hear from you.