Lead Silicon Photonics Test Architect

Asteralabs; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Incentives and benefits

Job summary

Astera Labs in the United States is seeking a highly technical Senior Principal Photonics Test Engineer to lead end-to-end test architecture for silicon photonics devices and modules. You will drive advanced test development from R&D to high-volume manufacturing and deliver automated, scalable test solutions.

The role requires deep expertise in silicon photonics test methodologies, strong system-level thinking, and the ability to resolve yield and performance challenges while collaborating

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optics, Physics, or related field.
• 10+ years in optical testing, photonic device characterization, or optical transceiver module test.
• Strong understanding of silicon photonics devices and EO characterization.
• Experience leading wafer-level and package-level test system development.
• Programming skills in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or C/C++ for automation.
• Familiarity with IEEE 802.3, OIF-CEI, CMIS standards.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end test architecture and roadmap for wafer-level and module testing.
• Lead development of wafer probe and package-level test solutions for silicon photonics.
• Architect automated test flows for characterization, validation, and production.
• Design optical test plans for co-packaged optics modules and engines.
• Debug yield issues and optimize electrical/optical performance.
• Drive hardware and software roadmap for next-gen optical test systems.
• Collaborate with silicon/photonic design, packaging, and reliability teams.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

C/C++

Statistics

Data visualization

Education

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering / Optics / Physics or related

Tools

silicon photonics test systems

wafer/probe testing

Job description

Astera Labs in the United States is seeking a highly technical Senior Principal Photonics Test Engineer to lead end-to-end test architecture for silicon photonics devices and modules. You will drive advanced test development from R&D to high-volume manufacturing and deliver automated, scalable test solutions.

The role requires deep expertise in silicon photonics test methodologies, strong system-level thinking, and the ability to resolve yield and performance challenges while collaborating