Photonics Control and Test Engineer

Langham Recruitment; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Job summary

Langham Recruitment is seeking a Photonics Control and Test Engineer in Santa Clara to design, implement, and validate advanced control systems for integrated photonic circuits. This is a hands-on, multidisciplinary role at the intersection of photonics, control theory, and embedded systems.

You’ll design robust control algorithms, model systems, and perform rigorous testing to ensure optical performance across multi-loop control schemes, collaborating with photonics, hardware, and firmware

Qualifications

• MSc in Optical Engineering or Electrical Engineering with 5+ years industry experience
• PhD in a relevant field with 2+ years industry experience
• Strong foundation in PID control and signal processing
• Experience with optical test equipment such as OSA, interferometers and power meters
• Proficiency in Python for test automation and scripting

Responsibilities

• Design and implement comprehensive test plans, scripts, and validation methodologies
• Develop control algorithms for initialization and stabilization of photonic components
• Build and optimize multi-loop control systems across photonic platforms
• Execute validation testing to assess signal integrity and system performance
• Analyze measurement data using statistics and visualization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across photonics, hardware, and firmware

Skills

Control theory

PID control

Signal processing

Python for test automation

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

MSc in Optical Engineering or Electrical Engineering

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Optical test equipment

Optical spectrum analysers

Power meters

Interferometers

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