Optical System Engineer, Senior Staff

Qualcomm; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 133,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Canada ULC is seeking a Systems Engineer to design, simulate, and validate advanced optical systems for high-speed data transmission. You will work on PAM4 modulation with Silicon Photonics and EAM devices, and perform hands-on lab measurements using BERT, AWG, and VNA.

The role emphasizes DSP algorithm development, cross‑functional collaboration, and maintaining lab equipment while documenting results for technical reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field with 6+ years in Systems Engineering.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field with 5+ years in Systems Engineering.
• PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field with 4+ years in Systems Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and test optical systems for high-speed data transmission, focusing on PAM4 with Silicon Photonics and EAM devices.
• Conduct hands-on lab measurements using BERT, AWG, VNA, and optical boards.
• Develop and implement DSP algorithms for signal processing in optical communications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate optical components into system-level designs.
• Maintain and troubleshoot lab equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Document experimental procedures and results for reports and presentations.
• Stay updated on industry trends in optical communication technologies.

Skills

Optical systems design

Lab measurements

DSP techniques

Silicon Photonics

EAM/EML knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / IS / CS

Master's degree in Engineering / IS / CS

PhD in Engineering / IS / CS

Tools

MATLAB

BERT

AWG

VNA

Optical boards

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Canada ULC

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Systems Engineering

General Summary

As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm Systems Engineer, you will research, design, develop, simulate, and/or validate systems-level software, hardware, architecture, algorithms, and solutions that enables the development of cutting-edge technology. Qualcomm Systems Engineers collaborate across functional teams to meet and exceed system-level requirements and standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.


• Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.


• PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Optical System Engineer to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands‑on experience in laboratory measurements, proficiency in MATLAB simulations, a strong background in optical communication systems, and knowledge of Silicon Photonics and EAM for IM/DD optical module applications.

This role is crucial in developing and optimizing our 100Gbps and 200Gbps PAM4 optical transmission (IM/DD) modules for data centre applications, with a special emphasis on lab skills and instrumentation.

What You’ll Do

• Design, simulate, and test optical systems for high-speed data transmission, focusing on PAM4 modulation schemes with Silicon Photonics/EAM devices.


• Conduct hands‑on laboratory measurements using a variety of instruments, including Bit Error Rate Testers (BERT), Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWG), Vector Network Analyzers (VNA), and optical boards.


• Develop and implement DSP algorithms for signal processing in optical communication systems.


• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate optical components into system‑level designs, including Silicon Photonics and EA modulators (EML).


• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance.


• Document experimental procedures and results, and contribute to technical reports and presentations.


• Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in optical communication technologies.

What You’ll Need

• Proven experience in optical system design and simulation, preferably with MATLAB.


• Extensive hands‑on experience in laboratory measurements and testing of optical systems, including working with BERT, AWG, VNA, and optical boards.


• Knowledge of Silicon Photonics & EAM EML for IM/DD optical module applications.


• Familiarity with DSP techniques and their application in optical communications.

Applicants

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e‑mail disability‑[e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll‑free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.

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Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits

$132,900.00 - $182,900.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales‑incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play.