Bring-Up Photonics Technician

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

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k)

Flexible hours

Professional growth

Job summary

Xscape Photonics Inc. in California is seeking a detail-oriented Photonics Technician to support R&D and characterization of integrated photonic devices.

You will execute tests, collect data, and maintain lab equipment, collaborating with test and design engineers to ensure reliable characterization results. The role requires hands-on experience with laser characterization, fiber handling, and familiarity with optical/electrical test setups.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Photonics, Optics, Electronics, Laser Technology, or related field is required; M.S. is a plus.
• 3+ years hands-on optics/photonics lab experience spanning device- and module-level testing.
• Proficiency in fiber handling including inspection, cleaning, cleaving, and low-loss coupling.

Responsibilities

• 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/electrical testing and verify fiber-coupled output power, wavelength, and high-speed interfaces.
• Handle, inspect, clean, and prepare optical fibers and connectors per best practices.
• Operate test instruments such as optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, and photodiode receivers.

Skills

Photonics lab experience

Fiber handling

Python or LabVIEW

Soldering basics

Attention to detail

Education

B.S. in Photonics

M.S. preferred

Tools

OSA

Power meters

Tunable lasers

Oscilloscopes

Source meters

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.