Photonics Engineer 3 Components

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Photonics Engineer 3 Components to design, develop, and evaluate advanced photonic components for high-performance optical systems. You will help build the manufacturing foundation from the ground up in a fast-moving environment.

The role requires a solid foundation in optics, photonics packaging, and precise opto-mechanical integration, collaborating with manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to transition designs from prototype to high-volume

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5-10+ years of experience developing photonic or optical hardware.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with optical alignment and characterization.
• Experience designing or integrating optical components and assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Design and create photonic components including isolators, switches, high-power fiber optic connectors, and packaged acousto-optic modulators.
• Perform optical design and modeling for free-space and fiber-coupled systems; develop opto-mechanical designs for stable optical alignment.
• Design high-precision photonic packaging solutions including fiber coupling assemblies and thermal management structures.
• Implement alignment methods (active/passive welding, soldering, adhesive bonding) and develop automated assembly procedures.
• Establish optical testing setups and measure parameters such as isolation, return loss, and power handling.
• Conduct reliability analysis, life testing, and root cause investigations; contribute to reliability modeling.

Skills

Optical design

Opto-mechanical integration

Photonic packaging

Fiber optic components

Design verification

Education

BS, MS, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Photonics Engineer 3 Components dedicated to the design, development, and evaluation of sophisticated photonic components utilized in high-performance optical systems. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our manufacturing foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a highly self-directed engineer who thrives in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment.

This position necessitates a solid foundation in optics, photonics packaging, and precise opto-mechanical integration. The engineer will collaborate closely with manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to facilitate the transition of designs from prototype stage to high-volume production. Key responsibilities include:

• Design and create photonic components, which include, but are not limited to:
• Optical isolators
• Optical switches
• High-power fiber optic connectors
• Packaged acousto-optic modulators
• Conduct optical design and modeling for both free-space and fiber-coupled optical systems
• Develop opto-mechanical designs to ensure stable and consistent optical alignment
• Choose and integrate essential optical components such as lenses, crystals, fibers, polarizers, and coatings
• Perform optical tolerance assessments and conduct performance modeling

Optical Packaging & Integration

• Design high-precision photonic packaging solutions that encompass:
• Fiber coupling assemblies
• Optical benches and mounts
• Thermal management structures
• Implement alignment methods, including active alignment, passive alignment, welding, soldering, and adhesive bonding
• Develop automated or semi-automated assembly procedures

Testing & Characterization

• Establish and characterize optical testing setups for component validation
• Measure critical optical parameters such as:
• Isolation
• Switching speed
• Thermal stability
• Conduct environmental testing and evaluate performance under various temperature, vibration, and lifespan conditions

Reliability & Failure Analysis

• Assist with component reliability qualification and conduct accelerated life testing
• Examine optical performance degradation and investigate failure modes
• Carry out root cause analyses and implement corrective measures
• Contribute to reliability modeling for materials, adhesives, fibers, and optical assemblies

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with:
• Mechanical engineering
• Manufacturing engineering
• Supply chain
• Quality and reliability teams
• Support the transition of designs into manufacturing and the scaling of production
• Engage with external suppliers for specialized optical components and materials

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Photonics Engineer 3 Components dedicated to the design, development, and evaluation of sophisticated photonic components utilized in high-performance optical systems. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our manufacturing foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a highly self-directed engineer who thrives in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment.

This position necessitates a solid foundation in optics, photonics packaging, and precise opto-mechanical integration. The engineer will collaborate closely with manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to facilitate the transition of designs from prototype stage to high-volume production. Key responsibilities include:

Component Design & Development

• Design and create photonic components, which include, but are not limited to:
• Optical isolators
• Optical switches
• High-power fiber optic connectors
• Packaged acousto-optic modulators
• Conduct optical design and modeling for both free-space and fiber-coupled optical systems
• Develop opto-mechanical designs to ensure stable and consistent optical alignment
• Choose and integrate essential optical components such as lenses, crystals, fibers, polarizers, and coatings
• Perform optical tolerance assessments and conduct performance modeling

Optical Packaging & Integration

• Design high-precision photonic packaging solutions that encompass:
• Fiber coupling assemblies
• Optical benches and mounts
• Thermal management structures
• Implement alignment methods, including active alignment, passive alignment, welding, soldering, and adhesive bonding
• Develop automated or semi-automated assembly procedures

Testing & Characterization

• Establish and characterize optical testing setups for component validation
• Measure critical optical parameters such as:
• Insertion loss
• Isolation
• Return loss
• Power handling capacity
• Switching speed
• Thermal stability
• Conduct environmental testing and evaluate performance under various temperature, vibration, and lifespan conditions

Reliability & Failure Analysis

• Assist with component reliability qualification and conduct accelerated life testing
• Examine optical performance degradation and investigate failure modes
• Carry out root cause analyses and implement corrective measures
• Contribute to reliability modeling for materials, adhesives, fibers, and optical assemblies

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with:
• Mechanical engineering
• Manufacturing engineering
• Supply chain
• Quality and reliability teams
• Support the transition of designs into manufacturing and the scaling of production
• Engage with external suppliers for specialized optical components and materials

Requirements

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)

Experience

• BS, MS, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

• 5-10+ years of experience developing photonic or optical hardware
• Experience designing or integrating optical components and assemblies
• Hands-on laboratory experience with optical alignment and characterization