Bring-Up Photonics Technician

Xscape Photonics Inc; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Xscape Photonics Inc. in California seeks a Photonics Technician to support R&D and characterization of integrated photonic devices. You will operate lab test stations, run laser/system tests, and handle fibers and connectors with care.

Collaborating with test and design engineers, you’ll execute procedures, collect data, and keep equipment calibrated. A hands-on background in optics, fiber handling, and scripting is preferred.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in optics/photonics lab environments.
• Familiar with fiber inspection, cleaning, and low-loss coupling.
• Experience with optical test instruments and basic electrical testing.
• Ability to run scripts in Python or LabVIEW for data collection.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate optical/electrical test stations for packaged modules.
• Run laser system characterization: spectra, power, SMSR.
• Perform module-level optical/electrical testing including fiber outputs.
• Handle, inspect, clean, and prepare optical fibers and connectors.
• Operate test instruments such as optical spectrum analyzers and power meters.

Skills

Photonics lab work

Fiber handling

Test instrumentation

Python/LabVIEW scripting

Soldering

Education

B.S. in Photonics or related field

Tools

OSA

Power meters

Tunable lasers

Oscilloscopes

Job description

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Photonics Technician to support our R&D and characterization efforts for integrated photonic devices and modules. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience working with laser characterizations, optical/photonics test setups, fiber handling, and will be comfortable operating a range of lab instruments. This role involves executing test procedures, performing optical and electrical measurements, maintaining lab equipment, and working closely with test and design engineers to keep characterization efforts running smoothly and reliably.

Key Responsibilities

Photonic Device & Module Testing & Characterization

• Set-up and operate optical/electrical test stations for packaged, fiber-pigtailed modules (e.g., TOSA, transceiver modules).
• Run laser system characterization such as output spectrum, output power, SMSR
• Perform module-level optical and electrical testing (e.g., TOSA, transceivers, ELSFP-form-factor modules), including fiber-coupled output power, wavelength/channel performance, and high-speed electrical interface checks.
• Handle, inspect, clean, and prepare optical fibers and connectors following established best practices.
• Operate test instruments such as optical spectrum analyzers, optical power meters, photodiode receivers.

Test Execution & Data Collection

• Execute established test procedures and measurement plans across devices, modules, wafer/build lots, and test conditions with consistency and repeatability.
• Run automated measurement scripts (Python, LabVIEW, or similar) and monitor tests for anomalies or failures.
• Record, organize, and upload measurement data following documented data-management procedures, ensuring completeness and integrity of results.
• Flag unexpected results, measurement artifacts, or setup issues to test engineers in a timely and well-documented manner.

Lab support and equipment maintenance

• Maintain optical test stations, including routine calibration checks, instrument upkeep, and cable/fiber inventory management.
• Assist in troubleshooting coupling, alignment, and measurement issues alongside test and packaging engineers.
• Keep lab spaces organized, safe, and compliant with laser safety and ESD handling procedures.
• Support incoming inspection and basic functional checks of devices, packaged parts, and test fixtures.

Required Skills & Experience:

• B.S. in Photonics, Optics, Electronics, Laser Technology, or a related field required. M.S. in a related field is a plus.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in an optics, photonics, or fiber-optics lab environment, spanning device-level and module/package-level test (lab or fab-adjacent).
• Proficiency in fiber handling fundamentals: connector inspection and cleaning, cleaving, and low-loss coupling practices.
• Working knowledge of fiber-optic components common in telecom-band systems (isolators, circulators, WDM filters, splitters, polarization controllers) and O-band/C-band conventions.
• Working knowledge of silicon photonic integrated circuits (Sipho PICs), including waveguides, MZIs, photodetectors, and couplers.
• Basic electronics skills: soldering and rework, cable/harness assembly, reading schematics, and debugging simple wiring or connector issues.
• Familiarity with common optical test instruments (OSA, power meters, tunable lasers) and basic electrical test equipment (source meters, oscilloscopes).
• Comfort running Python or LabVIEW-based measurement scripts; basic scripting or data-handling skills.
• Understanding basic photonic performance metrics such as insertion loss, extinction ratio, and responsivity.
• Strong attention to detail, disciplined documentation habits, and the ability to follow procedures consistently while spotting when something looks wrong.

“Nice to have” Skills & Experience:

• Understanding of physical characteristics of semiconductor lasers, such as LIV curves (threshold current, slope efficiency), polarization behavior, wavelength tuning vs. drive current and temperature, and SMSR.
• Experience operating laser diode drivers, precision current sources, and TEC/temperature controllers, including safe power-up/power-down and ESD-safe handling of laser diodes and photonic chips.
• Familiarity with additional laser measurements such as linewidth, RIN, wavelength stability, or side-mode behavior using wavelength meters or high-resolution OSAs.
• Exposure to environmental or reliability testing, such as burn-in, temperature cycling, or long-duration stability monitoring.
• Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools (Excel, Python with pandas/matplotlib) for summarizing measurement results.
• Familiarity with RF test setups or high-speed optoelectronic measurements is a plus.
• Experience with module-level assembly and test — pigtailing/alignment support, TOSA or transceiver-module characterization, and burn-in/functional test of packaged parts.