Bring-Up Photonics Technician

Xscape Photonics Inc; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Xscape Photonics Inc. in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a hands-on Photonics Technician to support R&D characterization of integrated photonic devices. You will operate optical/electrical test stations, handle fibers, and run laser system measurements to ensure repeatable results.

The role emphasizes precision, safety, and documentation, with collaboration across test and design engineers. A BS in Photonics or related field and 3+ years in a lab setting are preferred.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate optical/electrical test stations for packaged modules (e.g., TOSA, transceiver modules).
• Run laser system characterization and module-level testing (WDM, etc.).
• Handle, inspect, clean, and prepare optical fibers and connectors.
• Operate test instruments such as OSA, power meters, and photodiode receivers.
• Execute established test procedures and measurement plans with repeatability.
• Run automated measurement scripts (Python, LabVIEW) and monitor tests for anomalies.
• Record, organize, and upload measurement data with data-management procedures.
• Flag unexpected results or setup issues to engineers promptly.

Skills

Fiber handling

Test and measurement

Soldering and electronics

Python or LabVIEW scripting

Documentation and procedures

Attention to detail

Photonic device knowledge

Education

B.S. in Photonics/Optics/Electronics/Lasers

M.S. in related field (plus)

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Optical Spectrum Analyzers

Power Meters

Tunable Lasers

Python

LabVIEW

Soldering Equipment

Job description

About The Role

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.