Senior Optical Systems Engineer - NPI & Validation

Coherent; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent is seeking a senior optical engineering leader to drive OCS products from R&D through NPI in a hybrid Sunnyvale environment. You will shape validation, improve electro-optical performance, and guide cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure successful design reviews and production ramps.

The role requires 15+ years in optical communications or photonic systems, with strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and a track record in system-level architecture

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 15+ years of experience in optical communications, photonic systems, or related technical leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience in system-level optical architecture, validation, qualification, manufacturing scale-up, and cross-functional technical execution.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership for OCS products from R&D to NPI.
• Drive validation and characterization strategy for OCS subsystems and assemblies, including electro-optical performance improvement, cost deduction, manufacturability and reliability.
• Support test development, automation, and data analysis to improve coverage, repeatability, throughput, and insight into technical issues.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for complex issues across optics, electronics, mechanics, packaging, thermal behavior, and software interfaces.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers to support design reviews, qualification, NPI, and production ramp activities.
• Serve as a senior technical interface for internal stakeholders and external partners, translating system needs into actionable technical recommendations and execution plans.

Education

Master's or PhD in Applied Physics / Optical Engineering / Electrical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Power meters

Optical spectrum analyzers

Polarization controllers

Job description

Coherent is seeking a senior optical engineering leader to drive OCS products from R&D through NPI in a hybrid Sunnyvale environment. You will shape validation, improve electro-optical performance, and guide cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure successful design reviews and production ramps.

The role requires 15+ years in optical communications or photonic systems, with strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and a track record in system-level architecture