Optics Product Design and Development Engineer

卡浴散; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Optics Product Design and Development Engineer to join their innovative team in Santa Clara. This role involves designing cutting-edge RF-optics products, leading a multidisciplinary team through the product lifecycle, and ensuring high performance and efficiency. With a focus on collaboration and problem-solving, you will engage in hands-on testing and validation, utilizing advanced RF and optical tools. Join a forward-thinking company that values diversity and offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, while contributing to groundbreaking technologies in the field.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K with Matching

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

EAP

Qualifications

• 4+ years in optoelectronic transceiver design focusing on integrated RF-optics systems.
• Proficiency with RF design tools and optical simulation software.
• Strong knowledge of RF principles and optoelectronic concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop hybrid RF-optics products optimizing for bandwidth and signal integrity.
• Perform hands-on testing and validation using RF test equipment and optical tools.
• Collaborate with product managers to ensure scalable and standards-compliant designs.

Skills

Optoelectronic Transceiver Design

RF Design Tools (Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS)

Optical Simulation Software (Zemax, OptiSystem)

RF Principles (Modulation, Impedance, EMI)

Hands-on Experience with RF and Optical Test Equipment

Problem Solving Skills

Organizational and Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in RF Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in Photonics

Tools

RF Test Equipment (Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers)

Optical Tools (Power Meters, OTDRs)

Job description

Position at Samtec, Inc

Samtec is seeking an Optics Product Design and Development Engineer to join our team at the Silicon Valley Design Center in Santa Clara, CA. Our RF-optics product design and development engineers own the technical direction for designing and developing optical transceiver products. They lead a multidisciplinary technical team across EE, RF signal integrity, optics, mechanical, thermal, firmware, and process development throughout the product lifecycle. These engineers translate product requirements into metrics and execute prototype bring-up, integration, characterization, and validation, which support qualification and production testing. They also remove roadblocks in new product development and advise NPD leaders.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Design and develop hybrid RF-optics products, such as RF-over-fiber modules, optical transceivers, or photonic RF signal processors, optimizing for bandwidth, signal integrity, and power efficiency.
2. Utilize RF and optical modeling and simulation tools like ADS, HFSS, or Zemax to predict performance and refine designs.
3. Design integrated RF components (amplifiers, mixers) and optical elements (modulators, photodetectors) to create cohesive assemblies.
4. Perform hands-on testing and validation using RF test equipment (network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, BERT) and optical tools (power meters, OTDRs, scope, VOA, optical switch).
5. Troubleshoot RF-optical interaction issues such as impedance matching, noise, or optical loss.
6. Collaborate with product managers and manufacturing teams to ensure scalable, cost-effective, and standards-compliant designs.
7. Document specifications, test procedures, and performance data for milestones and production.
8. Research emerging RF-optics technologies to enhance product capabilities and competitiveness.

Note: Responsibilities are general guidelines; additional tasks may be assigned based on capabilities.

Required Skills and Experience:

• 4+ years in optoelectronic transceiver design, focusing on integrated RF-optics systems.
• Proficiency with RF design tools (Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS) and optical simulation software (Zemax, OptiSystem).
• Hands-on experience with RF and optical test equipment, including signal generators, network analyzers, BER testers, and optical spectrum analyzers.
• Strong knowledge of RF principles (modulation, impedance, EMI) and optoelectronic concepts (fiber optics, laser diodes, dispersion).
• Ability to analyze and solve complex RF-optical challenges.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills for collaboration and documentation.
• (Optional) Familiarity with applications like satellite communications, data centers, 5G, or radar systems.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Photonics, or related field.

Salary and Benefits:

The preferred location is Santa Clara, CA, with a salary range of $176K - $220K plus bonuses paid thrice yearly. Secondary options include San Diego/Vista, CA ($160K - $200K), and Colorado Springs, CO ($146K - $182K), with similar bonus structures. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, hearing, life, disability insurance, EAP, 401K with matching, and paid time off.

About Samtec:

Founded in 1976, Samtec is a private, $950M global manufacturer of electronic interconnect solutions, with over 40 international locations and products sold in more than 125 countries. Our Technology Centers focus on developing advanced interconnect technologies to optimize system performance and cost. Join us to be part of a diverse, innovative culture with competitive salaries and world-class benefits.

Samtec is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to protected statuses.