Senior Laser Photonics Systems Engineer - Characterization

Socket.dev; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 187,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Plan

Equity grants (full-time)

Flexible hybrid workplace

Job summary

Lightmatter seeks a Laser Characterization Engineer to own bring-up, characterization, and validation of laser modules and photonic systems. You will translate module performance specs into reproducible, manufacturable results, working with controls and photonics teams in a hybrid environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, development of robust test plans, automation scripts, and thorough reporting. Strong documentation, communication, and data analysis skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience characterizing laser modules (DFB lasers, optical amplifiers) in a research or NPI environment.
• Experience with DWDM optical link bring-up and validation is a plus.
• Proficiency with core photonics lab equipment and measurement automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical performance optimization and bring-up for Guide Laser modules; define bring-up sequences.
• Develop and own the bringup-to-eVT hand-off package: measurement summary, pass/fail criteria, reference data.
• Own characterization campaigns involving Guide and Passage optical links with channel optimization and margin verification.
• Develop test plans aligned to photonics-control specs; define measurement protocols and calibration sequences.
• Write and maintain Python or MATLAB scripts for optical, electrical, and thermal tests; build data pipelines.
• Publish characterization reports with methodologies, results and recommendations.
• Partner on laser-safety interlock validation and controller characterization flows.
• Interface with production on test plan deployment, NPI transitions, and scale-up.

Skills

Python scripting or MATLAB scripting

Statistical data analysis

Written communication

Test plan development

Laser/photonic test experience

Education

Higher degree in Electrical Engineering / Physics / Optical Engineering / Photonics

Tools

OSA

Optical power meters

LCA (Lightwave component analyzers)

High-bandwidth oscilloscopes

Signal generators

Python / MATLAB scripting for automation

Job description

Lightmatter seeks a Laser Characterization Engineer to own bring-up, characterization, and validation of laser modules and photonic systems. You will translate module performance specs into reproducible, manufacturable results, working with controls and photonics teams in a hybrid environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, development of robust test plans, automation scripts, and thorough reporting. Strong documentation, communication, and data analysis skills are essential.