Hands-on Photonics Characterisation Engineer

Salience Labs; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Salience Labs in the United Kingdom seeks a Photonic Characterisation Engineer to lead experimental characterisation of advanced integrated photonic devices in a hands-on lab role.

You will design and run experiments, analyse data with Python, and develop repeatable test methods, partnering with design, manufacturing and system testing teams.

This UK-based role is predominantly on site, with significant lab time and ownership over characterization activities and timelines.

Qualifications

• MSc/PhD or equivalent practical experience in Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field.
• Strong understanding of optics and photonics fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience designing and running experiments.
• Experience in optics/photonics lab environments.
• Experience analysing real-world data using Python.
• Familiarity with NumPy, SciPy, or pandas.
• Understanding of experimental uncertainty and data quality.
• Excellent troubleshooting and independence in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to characterise integrated photonic devices and structures.
• Operate optical and photonic lab equipment across measurement setups.
• Carry out die-level and wafer-level testing.
• Analyse data using Python and scientific computing tools.
• Develop scripts/workflows to automate data collection and analysis.
• Translate experimental requirements into repeatable test methodologies.
• Identify issues, investigate results and troubleshoot setups.
• Validate data quality for wider engineering teams.
• Produce technical reports and summaries from experimental work.
• Collaborate with photonics design, manufacturing and testing teams.
• Support development and improvement of lab processes and automation.
• Take ownership of characterisation tasks with realistic delivery timelines.

Skills

Python

NumPy/SciPy

Pandas

Optics fundamentals

Lab experiments

Data analysis

Automation

Education

MSc/PhD in Physics/Photonics/EE

Tools

Photonic test equipment

Probe stations

Job description

Salience Labs in the United Kingdom seeks a Photonic Characterisation Engineer to lead experimental characterisation of advanced integrated photonic devices in a hands-on lab role.

You will design and run experiments, analyse data with Python, and develop repeatable test methods, partnering with design, manufacturing and system testing teams.

This UK-based role is predominantly on site, with significant lab time and ownership over characterization activities and timelines.