Photonics Product Engineering Lead

GlobalFoundries; Egypt (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base Salary

Equity

Annual Bonus Plan

Medical Insurance

Job summary

GlobalFoundries seeks a senior photonics validation engineer to advance the validation of high-speed photonic integrated circuits from device-level to full optical-system specifications

You will define and execute test plans, correlate first-silicon performance with product targets, and collaborate with design, process, packaging, and test teams to improve manufacturability and yield across 100G/200G/400G platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in design, characterization, or validation of silicon photonics or PICs and high-speed optical devices.
• Strong understanding of high-speed optical device physics including modulators, photodetectors, lasers, and CWDM/DWDM/BiDi multiplexing.
• Hands-on experience with equipment such as vector network analyzers, optical spectrum analyzers, BER testers, high-speed oscilloscopes, and wafer probe stations.
• Familiarity with link budgets, eye-diagrams, BER evaluation, and PAM4 or coherent signaling for 100G/200G/400G per-lane systems.
• Proficiency in test automation and data analysis using Python or MATLAB.
• Knowledge of design-for-manufacturability/test and production ramp considerations for optical interconnect products.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and ability to present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead validation of PIC designs from device level through full optical system specifications.
• Develop and execute device- and system-level characterization plans for modulators, photodetectors, waveguides, and multiplexers.
• Correlate wafer-, package-, and system-level performance across multi-lane architectures.
• Define test structures, DOEs, and measurement methodologies for optical, electrical, and RF parameters.
• Analyze link budgets, bandwidth, insertion loss, crosstalk, and BER to assess design against requirements.
• Feed silicon learning back into design rules, models, and targets with cross-functional teams.
• Support tape-out bring-up, wafer/module characterization, and correlation between simulation and production data.
• Drive design-for-manufacturability/test to enable robust yield and scalable ramp.
• Document validation results and support design reviews and production gates.

Skills

Photonic integration

Optical device physics

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Vector network analyzers

Optical spectrum analyzers

BER testers

High-speed oscilloscopes

Wafer probe stations

Job description

About GlobalFoundries GlobalFoundries (GF) is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world’s most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GF makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead validation of high-speed photonic integrated circuit (PIC) designs from individual device level through full optical system specifications, correlating first-silicon performance with product targets to drive product maturity and manufacturability.
• Develop and execute device- and system-level characterization and validation plans for photonic building blocks such as modulators, photodetectors, waveguides, light couplers, and CWDM/DWDM/BiDi multiplexers.
• Correlate wafer-, package-, and system-level performance, quantifying gaps between first-silicon results and product targets across 100G, 200G, and 400G per-lane architectures.
• Define test structures, design-of-experiments, and measurement methodologies to extract key optical, electrical, and RF parameters across process, voltage, and temperature conditions.
• Analyze link budgets, bandwidth, insertion loss, crosstalk, extinction ratio, BER, and power efficiency to assess design performance against Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and pluggable optics requirements.
• Feed silicon learning back into design rules, device models, PDKs, and process targets by partnering closely with design, process, packaging, assembly, and test teams.
• Support new tape-out bring-up, wafer-level and module-level characterization, and establish correlation between simulation, first-silicon, and production measurements.
• Drive design-for-manufacturability and design-for-test improvements that enable robust yield, repeatable production test, and scalable ramp.
• Document validation results, spec correlation, and product-maturity assessments to support design reviews, qualification milestones, and production release gates.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in the design, characterization, or validation of silicon photonics or photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and high-speed optical devices.
• Strong understanding of high-speed optical device physics, including modulators, photodetectors, lasers, light couplers, and CWDM/DWDM/BiDi wavelength multiplexing.
• Hands-on experience with optical, electrical, and RF characterization equipment such as vector network analyzers, optical spectrum analyzers, BER testers, high-speed oscilloscopes, optical power/wavelength meters, and wafer probe stations.
• Working knowledge of link budget analysis, eye-diagram and BER evaluation, and PAM4 or coherent signaling for 100G, 200G, and 400G per-lane systems.
• Demonstrated ability to correlate first-silicon data with specifications and models, applying statistical data analysis to drive design and process improvements.
• Proficiency in test automation and data analysis using tools such as Python or MATLAB.
• Familiarity with design-for-manufacturability, design-for-test, and production ramp considerations for optical interconnect products.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

We Offer

• Base Salary
• Equity
• Annual Bonus Plan
• Medical Insurance

Information about our benefits you can find here: https://gf.com/careers/opportunities-in-europe/

We shape what's essential At GlobalFoundries you will find a vibrant work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. Our diverse and global team shares a culture of respect and inclusivity, representing the best in the industry. We celebrate success together and are united by our dedication to excellence and our desire to improve and empower the world.