Photonic Test Development Engineer

HyperLight; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive market-based compensation

Comprehensive health coverage

401(k) retirement plans with matching

Paid parental leave

Life and disability insurance

Commuter benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Cambridge is seeking a Photonic Test Development Engineer to develop wafer-level measurements for photonic integrated circuits. This position involves building scalable test systems, improving automation, and serving as a key technical expert for external partners. Ideal candidates will have extensive hands-on testing experience and a strong background in electrical engineering or physics. Competitive compensation and a collaborative work environment are offered.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant work experience or an advanced degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Extensive hands-on experience in using and automating test and measurement equipment.
• Familiarity with Python programming is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Become an expert on PIC measurement techniques and test automation.
• Develop automated wafer-level measurements and data analysis procedures.
• Act as a technical expert for external test partners and build an efficient manufacturing test process.

Skills

Expertise with test equipment

Strong communication skills

Statistical data analysis

Automation experience

Collaboration enthusiasm

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Swept laser systems

Source measurement units

Parameter analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers (VNAs)

Statistical software

Job description

HyperLight is at the forefront of the commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics—a material and process technology that is enabling high-performance, scalable optical components across AI/datacom infrastructure, hyperscale computing, quantum computing, sensing, and beyond. Founded in 2018 and backed by leading venture capital, we've built a team and a platform focused on real‑world mass deployment of TFLN photonics technology.

At the core of our work is the TFLN Chiplet™ platform— a modular, integrated architecture designed for scalability, manufacturability, and seamless integration into complex systems. It offers a rare combination of extraordinary performance and industrial readiness, enabling system developers across applications to deploy the technology fast and ready. We partner with our customers and suppliers from conceptualization, design, and prototyping phases, all the way through mass production to ensure smooth and rapid deployment of TFLN photonic technology.

We believe our platform is the key, in the golden age of integrated photonics industry, to empower humanity to the next level. We assembled a world class team covering engineering, business and operations. We believe in the power of integrity, innovation, collaboration and pragmatic solutions. Our diverse team thrives on challenges and is united by a shared commitment to excellence. We take pride in tackling complex challenges with curiosity, humility, and a deep sense of care for one another.

Our growing team is looking for a Photonic Test Development Engineer. This person will develop and help execute cutting‑edge wafer‑level measurements on our photonic integrated circuits. In close collaboration with our external test partners, this hire will build scalable, automated, and precise test systems that allow us to characterize every chip we make. The person in this role will be a key member of our small team, responsible for building new systems and delivering mission‑critical feedback about the performance of our products.

Join us to make a real‑world impact in a fast‑paced, collaborative and high‑growth environment.

Responsibilities

• Become an expert on our PIC measurement techniques, test automation, and data processing.
• Develop and improve automated wafer‑level measurements and data analysis procedures.
• Serve as a technical expert, leader, and primary point of contact for our external test partners to build a robust and efficient manufacturing test process. This may require periodic international travel to support our partners; we expect this role to require travel up to about 25% of your time.

Requirements

• Either 3+ years of relevant work experience or an advanced degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Strong communication skills and an enthusiasm for collaborating to build scalable test systems and procedures.
• Extensive hands‑on experience in using and automating test and measurement equipment.
• Expertise with common test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, swept laser systems, source measurement units, parameter analyzers, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and switch matrices.
• Expertise with statistical data analysis, including topics such as exploratory data analysis, basic statistical tests, design of experiments, gauge repeatability, curve fitting, statistical process control, and machine learning.
• Familiarity with the working principles of photonic, semiconductor, or RF devices like lasers, electro‑optic modulators, transmission lines, optical fiber, optical amplifiers, etc.
• Familiarity with the Python programming language is preferred.
• Experience testing photonic integrated circuits is a plus.
• Familiarity with wafer‑level test equipment like automated wafer probers is a plus.
• Bilingual English and Mandarin fluency is strongly preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive market‑based compensation
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, vision, and dental plans for individuals and families
• 401(k) retirement plans with employee matching
• Paid parental leave
• Life and disability insurance
• Commuter benefits and subsidies
• Professional growth and mentorship opportunities

HyperLight is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.