Laser Laboratory Engineer

Lumentum; Towcester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumentum is seeking a Laser Laboratory Engineer to join our Chip R&D team in Northamptonshire. You will carry out experimental testing and characterisation of photonic devices and PICs, helping bring new technologies from research into reliable products.

The role emphasizes hands-on laboratory work and developing specialist expertise in photonics and optoelectronics, with collaboration across global R&D groups and opportunities to contribute to New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Photonics, Electronic Engineering or a related STEM discipline is essential.
• Hands-on laboratory experience gained during degree, projects or placements is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Perform optical, electrical and RF characterisation of photonic devices and PICs.
• Test lasers, modulators, detectors and other III-V semiconductor devices.
• Set up and improve laboratory test systems and automation.
• Support hardware and software development for device characterisation.
• Collect, analyse and interpret data to evaluate device performance.
• Collaborate with Design, Reliability, Process and Test teams during development.
• Maintain accurate lab records and contribute to technical reports.

Skills

Lab experience

Data analysis

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Learning mindset

Education

Degree in Physics, Photonics, Electronic Engineering or STEM

Tools

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Laser Laboratory Engineer – Chip Verification

Optoelectronics | Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) | New Product Introduction (NPI)

Join Lumentum and help develop the next generation of photonic technology

Lumentum is looking for a Laser Laboratory Engineer to join our Chip R&D team in Northamptonshire.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and semiconductor devices that enable the world’s fastest optical communication networks, AI infrastructure and cloud data centres.

Working as part of a collaborative global R&D team, you'll carry out experimental testing and characterisation of cutting-edge photonic devices, helping bring new technologies from research into successful New Product Introduction (NPI).

This role is ideal for someone at the beginning of their engineering career who enjoys practical laboratory work and wants to develop specialist expertise in photonics and optoelectronics. We welcome applications from candidates who have gained hands-on laboratory experience through their degree, research projects, industrial placements or internships.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Laser Laboratory Engineer, you'll support the development and verification of advanced photonic devices through laboratory testing, data analysis and performance investigation.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Perform optical, electrical and RF characterisation of photonic devices and photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
• Test lasers, modulators, detectors and other III-V semiconductor devices using advanced laboratory equipment.
• Set up and improve manual, semi-automated and automated laboratory test systems.
• Support the development of experimental hardware and software for device characterisation.
• Collect, analyse and interpret experimental data to evaluate device performance.
• Support performance investigations and failure mode analysis.
• Work closely with Chip Design, Product Engineering, Reliability, Process and Test Engineering teams throughout product development.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and contribute to technical reports.

About You

You are curious, practical and enjoy solving technical challenges. You have a strong interest in laboratory-based engineering and are keen to develop your skills while working on world-leading photonic technologies.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Photonics, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering or another relevant STEM discipline.

Experience

We're looking for candidates who have gained practical laboratory experience through one or more of the following:

• University laboratory projects.
• Final-year or postgraduate research projects.
• Industrial placements or year-in-industry programmes.
• Engineering internships.
• Early-career engineering or R&D roles.

You'll ideally have experience using laboratory equipment to carry out experiments, collect and analyse data, and present technical findings.

Essential Skills

• Practical laboratory experience gained through university or industry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret experimental data using scientific and engineering principles.
• A methodical approach to experimental work with excellent attention to detail.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• A proactive attitude and enthusiasm for learning new technologies.

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous, but is not essential:

• Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)
• Optoelectronics
• Semiconductor devices
• Optical or electrical testing
• Lasers or fibre optics
• RF measurements
• Python, MATLAB or LabVIEW
• Automated test systems and data acquisition
• Statistical data analysis
• New Product Introduction (NPI)

Why Join Lumentum?

At Lumentum, you'll work on technologies that power AI infrastructure, cloud data centres and high-speed optical communications.

Skills

You'll be supported by experienced engineers and scientists while developing your skills in a collaborative R&D environment, with opportunities to:

• Work with world-leading photonic technologies.
• Gain hands-on experience using advanced optical and electronic test equipment.
• Learn from experts across global engineering teams.
• Develop your technical and professional skills.
• Travel occasionally to supplier sites and other Lumentum locations worldwide.

Location

This role is based at our Northamptonshire facility.

Please note that our site is located in a rural area and is not served by public transport, so applicants will need access to their own transport.

Typical commuting locations include Northampton, Milton Keynes, Towcester, Rugby, Banbury, Coventry, Kettering, Bedford, Buckingham, Brackley and Silverstone.

About Lumentum

Lumentum (NASDAQ: LITE) is a market-leading manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products enabling optical networking and commercial laser customers worldwide. Lumentum's optical components and subsystems are part of virtually every type of telecom, enterprise, and data center network. Lumentum's commercial lasers enable advanced manufacturing techniques and diverse applications including next-generation 3D sensing capabilities. Lumentum is headquartered in San Jose, California with R&D, manufacturing, and sales offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.lumentum.com.

Equal Opportunities

Lumentum is committed to equal opportunities and actively seeks applications from all sectors of the community irrespective of sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, having responsibility for dependents, age, religion/beliefs, or any other reason which cannot be shown to be justified.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us to request accommodation.