Principal Engineer - Test and Burn-In

NOKIA; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Nokia is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead semiconductor laser testing and Burn-In (BI) operations with a focus on scalable PIC testing for high-volume manufacturing. You will direct die-level testing, drive capacity planning, and collaborate across R&D, Operations, and CM partners to ensure cost-effective, high-yield results.

The role requires 10+ years in laser manufacturing, a Master’s or Ph.D., and a proven track record in advanced test equipment development and global capability ramping

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or related field.
• 10+ years in high-volume semiconductor laser manufacturing, testing and reliability.
• Proven track record in die-level test/BI equipment development and managing equipment contractors.
• Global experience transferring and ramping high-volume manufacturing capacity with CM partners.
• 5+ years of direct engineering management or technical project leadership.

Responsibilities

• Capacity Planning: Own PIC test and BI capacity planning; scale for internal and CM partners.
• Equipment Development: Support new test/BI equipment design and champion DFM best practices.
• Continuous Improvement: Improve yields, cycle times, and capex through collaboration with R&D and Product Integration.
• Vendor Management: Build and manage relationships with equipment vendors and contractors.
• CM Transfer & Deployment: Lead transfer projects with CM partners and deploy equipment at CM sites.
• Cross-Functional Interface: Act as technical bridge between Nokia Operations, R&D, and CM partners.
• Operational Strategy: Define long-term resource strategies for production schedules and NPI.

Skills

Capacity planning

Equipment development

Continuous improvement

Vendor management

CM transfer & deployment

Cross-functional interface

Operational strategy

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or related field

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a high-caliber Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership and operational expertise in semiconductor laser testing and Burn-In (BI) operations. Experience with Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) is highly advantageous. In this pivotal role, you will oversee die-level optoelectronic testing and BI operations. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and execute strategies that ensure high-efficiency, low-cost, and scalable PIC testing in volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Capacity Planning: Own PIC test and BI capacity planning; develop scalable manufacturing strategies for internal facilities and external Contract Manufacturing (CM) partners.
• Equipment Development: Support new test and BI equipment design from early phases; champion Design for Manufacturing (DFM) best practices across quality, scalability, maintainability, and cost.
• Continuous Improvement: Partner with R&D and Product Integration teams to drive continuous improvement in yields, cycle times, and capital expenditures.
• Vendor Management: Develop and manage relationships with equipment vendors and contractors throughout development and capacity ramp cycles.
• CM Transfer & Deployment: Lead projects with external CM partners to co-develop and transfer test and BI equipment, overseeing full-scale deployment at CM sites.
• Cross-Functional Interface: Act as the primary technical bridge between Nokia Operations, R&D, and CM partners to resolve volume production issues.
• Operational Strategy: Define long-term resource strategies to optimize internal operations for demanding production schedules and New Product Introduction (NPI) coverage.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Industry Experience: 10+ years in high-volume semiconductor laser manufacturing, testing, and reliability.
• Technical Expertise: Proven track record in die-level test/BI equipment development and managing equipment contractors.
• Global Operations: Demonstrated success transferring and ramping high-volume manufacturing capacity with global CM partners.
• Leadership: 5+ years of direct engineering management or technical project leadership experience.

Company & Culture

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, were advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Learn more about life at Nokia.

Our recruitment process

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

If you\'re interested in this role but don\'t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role\'s requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia.