Optical Systems Integration Engineer

Beacon Photonics; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock ownership

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Beacon Photonics in Arlington, VA is seeking an Optical Systems Integration Engineer to join our on-site team. You will integrate photonic chips, control electronics, and mechanical housings into fieldable optical microsystems, and lead end-to-end verification.

Ideal candidates have hands-on experience with optical and electrical lab instrumentation, PCB bring-up, and 3D CAD design (SolidWorks). Proficiency in Python or C/C++ is a plus, as is familiarity with Altium and fiber-to-chip coupling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, master's, or PhD in a relevant field with hands-on optical hardware integration.
• Hands-on lab instrumentation and optical testing experience.
• Experience with PCB bring-up and mechanical housing design.

Responsibilities

• Own optical systems with photonic chips, control electronics, and packaging.
• Drive end-to-end system design, integration, verification.
• Perform PCB bring-up and hardware testing.
• Conduct optical tests with standard equipment.
• Design mechanical housings for fieldable products.
• Write scripts and embedded code for hardware control.
• Coordinate with fabrication and vendors.

Skills

Lab instrumentation

Optical hardware

Altium

SolidWorks

Python

C/C++

System bring-up

Fiber-to-chip

Thermal control

Vibration isolation

GDS review

Education

Electrical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Physics

Tools

Altium

SolidWorks

Python

C/C++

Job description

Position: Optical Systems Integration Engineer

Location: Arlington, VA (On-Site)

Beacon Photonics is creating revolutionary optical microsystems to disrupt traditional laser markets. Founded by pioneers in the field of integrated photonics, we are a dynamic tech startup at the forefront of optical innovation. Our heterogeneous photonics technology enables high-performance products that provide unparalleled advantages in cost, size, and functionality for communications, sensing, and quantum systems. We are a dedicated group of world-class engineers and scientists devoted to realizing transformative capabilities and solving real-world problems.

We are seeking an exceptional Optical Systems Integration Engineer to join our rapidly growing team. In this role, you will be responsible for integrating photonic chips, control electronics, and mechanical housings into fieldable optical microsystems. The ideal candidate will have hands-on expertise in electro-optical system assembly, board-level bring-up, and functional verification. As a key team member, you will refine and deliver products, establish integration workflows, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and report directly to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own optical systems with photonic chips, control electronics, and custom packaging
• Drive system design, integration, test, assembly, and end-to-end performance verification
• Perform PCB board bring-up, initial power-on, functional testing, and troubleshooting
• Conduct optical test and characterization of systems using standard optical test equipment
• Design mechanical housings for fieldable electro-optical system products
• Program scripts and embedded code for basic hardware system control and interface
• Interface with fabrication, machining, and component vendors to support rapid development

Requirements

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics with 9+, 6+, or 3+ years of professional experience, respectively, in hands-on optical hardware integration
• Hands-on proficiency with standard optical and electrical lab instrumentation
• Practical experience working in an optics lab environment with lasers and optical components
• Familiarity with EDA tools such as Altium or similar for PCB schematic and layout review
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) for mechanical housing and fixture design
• Practical programming experience (Python, C/C++) for basic system control and interface

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience handling photonic integrated circuits, or similar, and reviewing GDS layout files.
• Knowledge of thermal control, vibration isolation, and ruggedized housing design
• Proven track record taking electro-optical hardware from prototype through full product release
• Familiarity with fiber-to-chip coupling techniques, optical adhesives, and precision assembly

Beacon Photonics has offices in Arlington, VA and Santa Barbara, CA. We value innovation, collaboration, open and honest communication, and a passion for technology. Come build your future with us! Our benefits include competitive compensation and employee stock ownership. We provide generous family medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) matching, holidays, parental leave, and paid time off. Beacon is an equal-opportunity employer, committed to sustaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by law.

Estimated Salary Range: $140K - $210K

Actual compensation for the role will be commensurate with the candidate’s education, work experience, skills, incoming position, and responsibilities.

This position involves access to technology that may be subject to U.S. export controls. Such access is granted to U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful permanent residents, certain categories of refugees and asylees, and those who can obtain appropriate export control licenses from the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce.