Senior Optical Test Engineer: High-Speed Datacenter Validation

Nexthop Systems Inc; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexthop AI in Santa Clara, CA, is expanding its optical engineering team and seeks an Optical Test Engineer to qualify, validate, and test high-speed optical modules (400G, 800G, 1.6T) for datacenter AI deployments.

You will bring up lab test platforms, run measurements, analyze performance under various conditions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve reliability and efficiency of next-generation AI systems.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical/Optical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience testing optical modules or high-speed optical systems.
• Hands-on experience with high-speed optical transmission testing and lab instruments.
• Proficient in Python for lab automation and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lab bring-up and test automation using BERTs, power meters, scopes, and traffic generators.
• Test and characterize transceivers across temperature, voltage, and traffic conditions.
• Validate module performance in switch ASIC systems and AI networking setups.
• Troubleshoot performance issues and collaborate on root-cause analysis.

Skills

High-speed testing

Python scripting

Lab automation

Fiber/Optical testing

Electrical/Optical systems

Signal integrity

Education

BS/MS in Electrical/Optical Engineering or related field

Tools

BERT

Oscilloscope

DCA

Power meters

OSA

CMIS/MDIO

I2C

Job description

Nexthop AI in Santa Clara, CA, is expanding its optical engineering team and seeks an Optical Test Engineer to qualify, validate, and test high-speed optical modules (400G, 800G, 1.6T) for datacenter AI deployments.

You will bring up lab test platforms, run measurements, analyze performance under various conditions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve reliability and efficiency of next-generation AI systems.