Photonics Scientist Intern — High-Speed Optics & RF

Piris Labs; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Piris Labs in San Francisco is offering an on-site internship in advanced photonics. You will build and align optical fiber and electro-optic experiments, characterize components, and analyze data while collaborating with a multidisciplinary engineering team.

The role emphasizes rigorous measurement quality, documentation, and clear communication of results, with compensation discussed during interviews.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with optical fiber systems, including alignment, coupling, and optical measurements.
• Experience with electro-optic systems or high-frequency photonic measurements.
• Familiarity with high-speed modulators, photodiodes, VNAs, and related RF or optical test equipment.
• Foundational understanding of laser physics, laser phase noise, and microwave or RF circuit models.
• Strong experimental and troubleshooting skills, with careful attention to measurement quality and reproducibility.
• Ability to work effectively on a multidisciplinary engineering team and clearly document and communicate technical results.

Responsibilities

• Build, align, and operate optical fiber and electro-optic experimental setups.
• Characterize lasers, modulators, photodiodes, and photonic systems using optical and RF test equipment.
• Analyze measurement data, troubleshoot experimental and device-level issues, and compare results with simulations or circuit models.
• Document experimental methods and results and present findings to the engineering team.

Skills

Experimental troubleshooting

Data analysis

Technical communication

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Measurement quality control

Education

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering / Applied Physics / Photonics / Optics

Tools

Optical test equipment

VNAs & RF test equipment

Laser optics components

Job description

• Build, align, and operate optical fiber and electro-optic experimental setups.
• Characterize lasers, modulators, photodiodes, and photonic systems using optical and RF test equipment.
• Analyze measurement data, troubleshoot experimental and device-level issues, and compare results with simulations or circuit models.
• Document experimental methods and results and present findings to the engineering team.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with optical fiber systems, including alignment, coupling, and optical measurements.
• Experience with electro-optic systems or high-frequency photonic measurements.
• Familiarity with some of the following: high-speed modulators, photodiodes, VNAs, and related RF or optical test equipment.
• Foundational understanding of laser physics, laser phase noise, and microwave or RF circuit models.
• Strong experimental and troubleshooting skills, with careful attention to measurement quality and reproducibility.
• Ability to work effectively on a multidisciplinary engineering team and clearly document and communicate technical results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Tidy3D, Ansys Lumerical, or similar electromagnetic or photonic simulation tools.
• Relevant research or industry experience involving high-speed photonics, optical communications, RF systems, or semiconductor devices.
• Nanofabrication or cleanroom experience.
• Experience using simulations and experimental measurements together to diagnose device or system performance.

Location and Work Authorization

This is an on-site internship in San Francisco. Candidates must be able to work on-site and relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area if necessary.Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the internship. All candidates with valid employment authorization are welcome to apply.Piris Labs is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.

Compensation: Internship compensation discussed during the interview process. [e-mail]