Photonics Validation Engineer

Lyte; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity

Comprehensive medical, dental, and视ion

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible vacation and time-off policy

Job summary

Lyte is seeking a Photonics Validation Engineer to validate photonics sub-systems and packaged opto-electronic modules. You will build test infrastructure from scratch, drive failure analysis, and work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure robust test coverage from component to module levels.

The role requires hands-on experience with optical/electro-optic testing, spectrum/FFT analysis, and familiarity with coherent communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; advanced degrees welcome
• 3-7 years in photonics validation or optical testing
• Hands-on testing of photonic components or modules
• Experience building test benches or automated setups
• Strong failure-analysis across optical, electrical, and firmware domains
• Proficient with lab equipment (spectrum analyzers, scopes, etc.)
• Data analysis, automation and visualization using Python/MATLAB
• Knowledge of coherent optical communications
• Excellent written and verbal communication across teams

Responsibilities

• Build test benches and automated test setups from scratch for photonics systems
• Design and execute test plans across wafer, chip, eval board, sub-modules
• Perform spectrum and FFT-based signal analyses
• Validate coherent communication systems and modules
• Conduct failure analyses and drive corrective actions
• Perform passive optical testing (insertion/return loss, wavelength response)
• Troubleshoot and debug test setups and design issues
• Analyze/test data to characterize device performance and trends
• Interface with firmware and embedded software during bring-up
• Collaborate with FPGA/ASIC teams for test automation
• Document procedures, results, and failure analyses for stakeholders
• Support transition of test methods from R&D to manufacturing

Skills

Optical testing

Test automation

Python

MATLAB

Lab equipment

Troubleshooting

Coherent optics

FPGA/ASIC testing

Cross-functional

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Applied Physics

Master’s or Ph.D. (welcome)

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Network analyzers

Optical power meters

Job description

About the role

• We are seeking a highly motivated Photonics Validation Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for validating photonics sub-systems and packaged opto-electronic modules - building test infrastructure from the ground up and driving failure analysis from component level through module level. This position requires hands-on expertise in optical and electro-optic testing, strong troubleshooting instincts, and the ability to work closely with a multidisciplinary engineering team. Experience with EIC control, firmware/FPGA/ASIC-based test environments, coherent communications, and data analysis is essential. Background in free space optics, micro-optics, packaging, and III-V semiconductor physics is a plus. You will work alongside a world-class, cross-functional team in a fast-paced and rapidly growing environment.

What you’ll do

• Build test benches and automated test setups from scratch for photonics systems, components, and packaged opto-electronic devices
• Design, execute, and refine test plans and validation methodologies across wafer, chip, eval board, and sub-module levels
• Perform spectrum analysis, noise analysis and FFT-based signal analysis
• Validate coherent communication systems and modules (e.g., coherent receivers, DSP-linked subsystems)
• Perform failure analysis efforts — root-causing device and system failures across optical, electrical, and firmware layers, and driving corrective actions
• Perform passive optical testing (insertion loss, return loss, wavelength response, etc.)
• Troubleshoot and debug test setups and design issues, identifying and resolving challenges
• Analyze and visualize test data to characterize device performance and identify trends or deviations
• Interface with EIC controls, firmware, and embedded software during test bring-up
• Collaborate with FPGA/ASIC teams to support test automation, debug, and validation workflows
• Work closely with cross-functional teams (design, packaging, manufacturing, product) to drive issues from detection to resolution
• Document test procedures, results, and failure analyses; communicate findings clearly to internal stakeholders
• Support the transition of test methodologies from R&D into high-volume manufacturing

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Applied Physics, or a related field; a Master’s or Ph.D. is welcome but not required
• 3-7 years of relevant industry or applied research experience in photonics validation, optical testing, or opto-electronic systems
• Hands-on experience testing photonic or opto-electronic components, subsystems, or packaged modules
• Experience building test benches, fixtures, or automated test setups from the ground up
• Strong failure-analysis and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to isolate root causes across optical, electrical, and firmware domains
• Hands-on experience with optical and electrical lab equipment, including spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, and optical power meters
• Proficiency in data analysis, automation, and visualization using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools
• Working knowledge of coherent optical communication principles
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interfacing with EIC controls, firmware, or embedded software during test bring-up
• Experience with FPGA- or ASIC-based test environments and validation workflows
• Experience with spectrum, noise, or FFT-based signal analysis
• Background in free-space optics, micro-optics, photonics packaging, or III-V semiconductor physics
• Experience transitioning test methodologies from R&D into manufacturing or high-volume production

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible vacation and time-off policy