Photonics Control and Test Engineer

Langham Recruitment; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Langham Recruitment is seeking a Photonics Control and Test Engineer to design, implement, and validate advanced control systems for integrated photonic circuits in Santa Clara. You will work at the intersection of photonics, control theory, and embedded systems, ensuring optical performance through robust control algorithms and rigorous testing.

You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams, develop multi-loop control strategies, and contribute to data-driven validation and optimization

Qualifications

• MSc in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related; 5+ years industry experience OR PhD with 2+ years experience.
• Strong knowledge of control theory and real-world PID implementation.
• Experience with optical test equipment and photonic components.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement comprehensive test plans, scripts, and validation methodologies.
• Develop control algorithms for initialization and stabilization of photonic components (lasers, modulators, amplifiers, filters).
• Build and optimize multi-loop control systems across complex photonic platforms.
• Execute validation testing to assess signal integrity and system performance under varying conditions.
• Analyze measurement data using statistical and visualization techniques.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across photonics, hardware, and firmware.

Skills

Control theory

PID control

Python

Optical test equipment

Photonic components

Data analysis

Education

MSc in Optical Engineering

MSc in Electrical Engineering

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Modeling & simulation tools

Job description

Photonics Control and Test Engineer | Santa Clara | $220 - 240k + Bonus & Equity

About the Company

We are supporting a fast-growing, venture-backed technology company building next-generation integrated photonic systems for high-performance applications. Their platform combines cutting-edge optics, electronics, and software to enable scalable, energy-efficient solutions for advanced data and communication technologies.

The Role

We’re looking for a Photonics Control & Test Engineer to design, implement, and validate advanced control systems for integrated photonic circuits. This is a hands-on, multidisciplinary role where you’ll work at the intersection of photonics, control theory, and embedded systems.

You’ll play a key role in ensuring optical performance through robust control algorithms, system modeling, and rigorous testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement comprehensive test plans, scripts, and validation methodologies
• Develop control algorithms for initialization and stabilization of photonic components (e.g. lasers, ring modulators, MZIs, optical filters)
• Build and optimize multi-loop control systems across complex photonic platforms
• Execute validation testing to assess signal integrity and system performance under varying conditions
• Analyze measurement data using statistical and visualization techniques
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across photonics, hardware, and firmware

What We’re Looking For

• Strong foundation in control theory (e.g. PID control, signal processing) with real-world implementation experience
• Hands-on experience with optical test equipment (e.g. optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, interferometers)
• Proficiency in Python (or similar) for test automation and scripting
• Deep understanding of photonic components and systems (lasers, modulators, amplifiers, filters, photodetectors)
• Experience with optical modeling and simulation tools
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

Education & Experience

• MSc in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field + 5+ years industry experience OR PhD in a relevant field + 2+ years industry experience

Why Join?

• Work on cutting-edge photonic technologies shaping the future of connectivity
• Highly collaborative, deep-tech environment
• Opportunity to have real impact in a rapidly scaling company