Principal Optical Process Engineer

Lumentum Operations LLC; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumentum Operations LLC seeks an Optical Process Engineer to advance photolithography in its San Jose fab. You will lead process development, optimize optics, and collaborate with Design and Equipment teams to qualify new tools.

The role requires a PhD or MS in physics/EE/materials science, plus hands-on optical bench experience, Python/C++ skills, and strong data-analysis capabilities. On-site in San Jose, CA.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• Hands-on optical bench experience and maintenance protocols preferred.
• Python, VBA, LabVIEW, and C++ programming required.
• Statistical tools (DOE, SPC) and data analysis software (JMP, Minitab) to optimize parameters.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, and implementation of photolithography processes.
• Maintain Optical Holographic Systems integrating lasers, optics, and hardware components.
• Develop and refine coherent optical systems, including interferometry setups and laser-based architecture.
• Partner with Design, Integration, and Equipment Engineering for new product/tool qualifications.
• Perform data analysis and Six Sigma methodologies (FMEA, Capability Analysis, SPC, DOE).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet fab yield targets and reduce cycle time.

Skills

Python

VBA

LabVIEW

C++

DOE/SPC data analysis

photolithography experience

optical bench setup

Education

M.S./Ph.D. in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Materials Science

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Job Description

We are seeking a highly accomplished Optical Process Engineer to join our semiconductor manufacturing fab process team in San Jose, California. The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing our photolithography processes for Lumentum's optoelectronic solutions supporting cloud, network applications, and the rapidly growing AI market. In this role, you will work in a team environment to maintain existing optical systems and develop unique photolithography process powering Lumentum's photonics chips.

Job Duties:

• Lead development, optimization, and implementation of photolithography processes for advanced semiconductor manufacturing nodes.
• Maintain Optical Holographic Systems integrating lasers, optics, and hardware components
• Develop and refine coherent optical systems, including interferometry setups and laser-based architecture.
• Partner with Design, Integration, and Equipment Engineering teams for new product and tool qualifications.
• Perform statistical data analysis and utilize data driven Six Sigma methodologies such as FMEA, Capability Analysis, SPC, DOE, Design for Manufacturing for improving processes, reducing defects and minimizing variations.
• Collaborate closely with cross functional team to meet fab yield targets, improve yield, reduce costs, and minimize cycle time.

Requirements:

• A Ph.D. or Master's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline
• Hands-on experience with optical bench configuration, assembly of optical components, and routine maintenance protocols is preferred.
• Photolithography Wafer patterning experience using through Displacement Talbot lithography Method is an advantage.
• Familiarity with optical inspection equipment, photolithography tools, and cleanroom protocols.
• Programing experience in Python, VBA macros, LabVIEW, C++ is essential.
• Proficient in using statistical tools (e.g., DOE, SPC) and data analysis software (e.g. JMP, Minitab) to optimize process parameters and ensure quality control.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple disciplines and with senior management.

Pay Range: P70-USA-1 :$134,750.00 - $192,500.00

Disclaimer: Final base salary for the successful candidate will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job location, where work will be performed, qualifications, work history and relevant experience. With our continual goal of making Lumentum a best place to work for our employees, we strive to offer employees competitive total compensation packages, which may include annual bonus, commission for certain sales roles, equity, and health and welfare benefits.

Lumentum is illuminating the networks of tomorrow with advanced photonic technologies that enable AI, data centers, telecom, industrial, and sensing applications. As AI accelerates the global demand for bandwidth and energy efficiency, we deliver the building blocks that keep data moving reliably, efficiently, and at massive scale. Our optical products support AI and compute infrastructure, cloud and DCI environments, metro and long-haul networks, while our lasers drive breakthroughs in precision manufacturing and sensing. For nearly five decades, Lumentum has been at the intersection of light and innovation. What began as a vision with JDS Uniphase to harness the power of photonics has evolved into a global force driving the communication infrastructure of tomorrow. At Lumentum, we're building more than a business-we're building a team of passionate innovators whose drive to collaborate, create, and connect the world fuels everything we do. We are part of the AI technology revolution and we are illuminating the path forward. Headquartered in San Jose, California, we operate worldwide through a network of R&D, manufacturing, and sales locations.