R&D VCSEL Designer

Lumentum Holdings Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Health and wellness benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Gym and games room

Free coffee/tea

Employee stock options

Job summary

Lumentum Operations LLC in San Jose, CA is seeking an R&D VCSEL Designer to craft GaAs‑based VCSEL devices and technology platforms. You will develop designs, mask layouts, and epitaxial processes, and coordinate with manufacturing to bring innovations to production.

You will perform thorough device characterization and data analysis to drive performance improvements, collaborating with cross‑functional teams and contract manufacturers.

Qualifications

• PhD in optoelectronics or related field; Master’s with 3+ years experience also acceptable.
• Experience with VCSEL design and wafer fabrication.
• Strong verbal and written communication, cross‑functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Design of new GaAs-based VCSEL devices and technology platforms.
• Develop design and fabrication flow (mask layout, EPI structure, etching, metallization, passivation, implantation, oxidation, wafer fusion).
• Device characterization including LIV, spectra, polarization, near-field/far-field under CW, ms/ns pulsed operation.
• Analyze data to relate characterization to design inputs and improve performance.
• Coordinate with internal groups and contract manufacturers to transfer designs into manufacturing.
• Generate IP from new ideas in design and manufacturing.

Skills

VCSEL design

Wafer fabrication

Epitaxial growth

Data analysis (Excel/JMP/Minitab)

Python/MATLAB

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication skills

Education

PhD in optoelectronics or related

Master’s with 3+ years experience

Tools

Photomask layout

Excel

JMP

Minitab

Python

MATLAB

Job description

R&D VCSEL DesignerWe use cookies to make the safest and most effective website possible.# Opportunities## R&D VCSEL DesignerApply: USA - CA - San Jose (Ridder): Full time: Posted Yesterday: 20261245**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! **About Lumentum**At Lumentum, we’re building the tech behind the world’s fastest networks and most advanced systems. Our optical and photonic solutions power everything from AI and cloud computing to data centers, telecom, and advanced manufacturing.We’re a global team of innovators working where light meets technology, solving big challenges that keep the world connected and moving forward. If shaping the future of connectivity excites you, you’ll fit right in. **What You’ll Be Doing** * Design of new GaAs-based VCSEL devices and VCSEL technology platforms* Apply knowledge and experience with epitaxial growth and wafer fabrication techniques develop the design (mask layout, EPI structure) and fabrication flow (etching, metallization, dielectric passivation, implantation, oxidation, wafer fusion, etc.)* Device characterization including laser diode testing at wafer probe and chip-on-carrier for light-voltage-current (LIV), spectra, polarization stability, near-field and far-field beam parameters under CW, ms pulsed and ns pulsed operation.* Data analysis and understanding of device physics to correlate the device characterization to design inputs (epi, fab, emitter design and die layout) and use this information along with modeling tools to improve device performance* Coordinate with groups within Lumentum and at contract manufacturers to bring the new designs, wafer fabrication flows and device characterization methods into manufacturing and product release* Generating key intellectual property (IP) from new ideas in design and manufacturing **What We’re Looking For****Education:**PhD degree in optoelectronics or other relevant major or Master’s degree with 3 years of experience is minimum requirement. PhD with industry experience is preferred..**Experience: Core Requirements:** * PhD degree in optoelectronics or other relevant major or Master’s degree with 3 years of experience is minimum requirement. PhD with industry experience is preferred.* Experience with VCSEL design and wafer fabrication* Knowledge of semiconductor device physics, process technology and equipment,* Experience with software data analysis tools (such as Excel, JMP, Minitab), photomask layout, and data processing (Python, Matlab)* Excellent ability to work in cross-functional teams as both a team leader and a contributor* Strong verbal and written communication skills **Preferred Qualifications**Optoelectronic device modeling including electrical, optical, thermal.**Perks You’ll Love*** Flexible time off* Health and wellness benefits (physical and mental)* Tuition reimbursement and career growth support* A workplace built for you: free gym, games room, prayer room* Subsidized meals, free coffee/tea* Employee stock options and incentive plans* A collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture**Join a Team That’s Shaping the Future**At Lumentum, we’re more than just a workplace—we’re a launchpad for creativity and innovation. We’re committed to celebrating your unique talents and helping you grow. Our guiding principles—Innovate, Engage, Deliver, Excel, and Win—aren’t just words; they’re the heart of what we do.**Let’s Build a Brighter Future Together!****We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Your uniqueness makes us stronger, sparks creativity, and drives our success.*****Please contact us at*** ***[e-mail]*** ***to request accommodation.*****Join us—your future starts here!****Pay Range:**P60-USA-1 :$112,050.00 - $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.