Photonics Characterisation Engineer

Salience Labs; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Salience Labs is seeking a Photonic Characterisation Engineer to drive experimental characterisation of advanced integrated photonic devices. You will design and run experiments, operate optical test equipment, and analyse data with Python to deliver engineering insights.

The role involves die- and wafer-level testing, developing automation scripts, and communicating results to multidisciplinary teams in a hands-on lab environment.

Qualifications

• MSc, PhD or equivalent practical experience in Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience designing and running experiments in a photonics lab.
• Experience analysing real-world experimental data using Python.
• Familiarity with NumPy, SciPy and pandas for data analysis.
• Strong experimental judgement and ability to turn measurements into engineering conclusions.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Python

NumPy

SciPy

Pandas

Experiment design

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Lab equipment operation

Communication

Independent work

Education

MSc/PhD or equivalent in Physics/Photonics/Optical Engineering

Tools

Python tooling

Jupyter

Job description

Job Overview:

We are looking for a Photonic Characterisation Engineer to join our Photonics team and play a key role in the experimental characterisation of advanced integrated photonic devices.

This is a highly hands-on position where you will design and run experiments, operate optical test equipment, analyse measurement data and help turn experimental results into clear engineering insight. Your work will support teams across photonic design, manufacturing and system testing, helping ensure technical decisions are grounded in high-quality, repeatable data.

You will work across both die-level and wafer-level characterisation, combining practical laboratory work with Python-based data analysis and experimental automation. Over time, you will take increasing ownership of characterisation activities, from defining test approaches through to delivering results and communicating conclusions to stakeholders.

This role is particularly well suited to someone who enjoys being in the lab, working through difficult experimental problems and moving comfortably between optics, software and data.

What you’ll be doing:

• Design and execute experiments to characterise integrated photonic devices and structures
• Operate optical and photonic laboratory equipment across a range of measurement setups
• Carry out die-level and wafer-level testing
• Analyse experimental data using Python and relevant scientific computing tools
• Develop scripts and workflows to automate data collection and analysis
• Translate experimental requirements into practical, repeatable test methodologies
• Identify measurement issues, investigate unexpected results and troubleshoot experimental setups
• Validate data quality before results are used by wider engineering teams
• Produce clear technical reports, analysis and summaries from experimental work
• Collaborate closely with photonic design, manufacturing and system testing teams
• Support the development and improvement of laboratory processes, test methods and automation
• Take ownership of characterisation tasks and provide realistic timelines for delivery

As you develop in the role, you will be expected to work increasingly independently, building new test methods where required and taking experiments from initial planning through execution, analysis and communication of results.

What we’re looking for:

• An MSc, PhD or equivalent practical experience in Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• A strong understanding of optics and photonics fundamentals
• Hands-on experience designing and running experiments
• Experience working in an optics, photonics or similarly technical laboratory environment
• Experience analysing real-world experimental data using Python
• Familiarity with scientific Python libraries such as NumPy, SciPy or pandas
• A practical understanding of experimental uncertainty, noisy data and measurement quality
• Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting skills
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering team
• Strong attention to detail and critical thinking
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to present technical results clearly to different audiences

You should be comfortable spending a significant proportion of your time working physically in the laboratory. This is not primarily a theoretical or simulation-focused position.

Even better if you have:

• Experience working with photonic wafer-level test systems or probe stations
• Experience with integrated photonic devices and their characterisation
• Experience automating experimental setups or measurement equipment using Python
• Familiarity with optical alignment, calibration and measurement techniques
• Experience with free-space optics
• Knowledge of photonic integrated circuit fabrication or semiconductor processes
• Experience developing reusable experimental or data-analysis tools
• Previous experience in an R&D or product development environment
• Experience working in a startup or another environment where processes are still evolving
• Familiarity with Agile ways of working, Jira or similar project-management tools
• Experience communicating the same technical results to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

Relevant backgrounds might include photonics or optics R&D laboratories, integrated photonics research, experimental physics, electrical engineering, semiconductor development or related fields. The common thread is strong experimental judgement and the ability to turn physical measurements into trustworthy engineering conclusions.

This is an opportunity to work on genuinely challenging experimental problems in photonics while helping shape how characterisation is carried out as our engineering capability grows.

You will have access to advanced laboratory equipment, work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams and have meaningful ownership over both the experiments you run and how the wider characterisation capability develops.

The role is UK-based and predominantly on site, with a minimum of four days per week in the lab.