Optical Test Engineer

Credo; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Equity

Medical benefits

Job summary

Credo, based in San Jose, CA, is seeking a hands-on Optical Test Engineer to support development and validation of high-speed transceiver components and subsystems.

You will build and test samples for TIA and driver evaluation, develop optical test stations, create procedures, and analyze results across optical, electrical, and mechanical disciplines.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field, or a relevant bachelor’s degree plus at least two years of professional experience.
• Experience testing microelectronic systems and components, such as operational amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, and PLLs.
• Experience with optical and electrical test equipment, including optical power meters, oscilloscopes, optical or electrical spectrum analyzers (OSA), variable optical attenuators (VOA), and multi-axis alignment stages.
• Fundamental understanding of tolerance analysis, yield optimization, reliability testing, and failure analysis.
• Programming experience in Python, C/C++, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.

Responsibilities

• Perform precision optical alignment and fiber coupling of lasers, photodiodes (PDs), PICs, and waveguide-based devices.
• Build and characterize optical assemblies for TIA and driver validation, including optical-to-electrical (OE) and electrical-to-optical (EO) testing; design, assemble, and maintain optical test stations and experimental setups for device characterization.
• Develop test procedures, automate measurements, collect data, and generate technical reports.
• Conduct high-speed optical and electrical measurements to evaluate device performance, reliability, and yield; analyze results, troubleshoot issues, perform root cause investigations, and recommend design and process improvements.
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to support product development and qualification activities, following laser safety procedures and laboratory best practices.

Skills

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

LabVIEW

DOE

Education

Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field

Bachelor’s degree + 2+ years experience

Tools

Optical Power Meters

Oscilloscopes

OSA (Optical Spectrum Analyzer)

VOA

Multi-axis Alignment Stages

OpticStudio (Zemax)

SolidWorks

Job description

Team Credo is looking for a hands-on Optical Test Engineer to support the development and validation of high-speed optical transceiver components and subsystems. The successful candidate will build and test samples for TIA and driver evaluation, develop optical test stations, create test procedures, and analyze measurement results. This role requires strong experimental skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work across optical, electrical, and mechanical disciplines.

Base salary range is $80,000 - $130,000 a year. The base salary offer will depend on factors such as education, experience, training, skills, qualifications, and location. This position is also eligible for a discretionary bonus, equity and a full range of medical and other benefits.

Why Credo

• Purpose: We invest in what matters. From meaningful-future shaping projects to competitive compensation, we empower you to grow your career while making a lasting impact.
• People: Connection starts within. We collaborate, celebrate wins, and create an environment where everyone can do their best work.
• Possibilities: Our belief shapes what’s next. Our technology powers the most reliable and energy-efficient connections around the world – and our team powers new products and markets that come next.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field, or a relevant bachelor’s degree plus at least two years of professional experience.
• Experience testing microelectronic systems and components, such as operational amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, and PLLs.
• Experience with common optical and electrical test equipment, including optical power meters, oscilloscopes, optical or electrical spectrum analyzers (OSA), variable optical attenuators (VOA), and multi-axis alignment stages.
• Fundamental understanding of tolerance analysis, yield optimization, reliability testing, and failure analysis.
• Programming experience in one or more of Python, C/C++, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in optical alignment and fiber coupling for lasers, photodiodes, PICs, or similar optical components.
• Experience with high-speed optical and electrical testing, instrumentation control, data acquisition, and test automation, including developing automated test systems for high-volume characterization and validation.
• Experience with optical design and simulation tools such as OpticStudio (Zemax) and mechanical CAD software such as SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of photonic packaging, optical assembly processes, and manufacturing methods.
• Familiarity with statistical data analysis and Design of Experiments (DOE).

Responsibilities

• Perform precision optical alignment and fiber coupling of lasers, photodiodes (PDs), photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and waveguide-based devices.
• Build and characterize optical assemblies for TIA and driver validation, including optical-to-electrical (OE) and electrical-to-optical (EO) conversion testing; design, assemble, and maintain optical test stations and experimental setups for device characterization.
• Develop test procedures, automate measurements, collect data, and generate technical reports.
• Conduct high-speed optical and electrical measurements to evaluate device performance, reliability, and yield; analyze results, troubleshoot issues, perform root cause investigations, and recommend design and process improvements.
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to support product development and qualification activities, following laser safety procedures and laboratory best practices.

About Credo

Credo’s mission is to transform connectivity at scale through fast, reliable, and energy-efficient system solutions. Our high-speed copper and optical interconnect products deliver industry-leading power and performance at up to 1.6T to meet the ever-expanding data infrastructure demands of AI.

Our product portfolio includes ZeroFlap (ZF) Active Electrical Cables (AECs) and ZF optical transceivers, OmniConnect memory solutions, and a suite of retimers and DSPs for optical and copper Ethernet and PCIe, all leveraging the PILOT diagnostic and analytics software platform. Credo innovations enable our customers to connect the systems that connect the world.

Credo is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [e-mail].