Senior Optical Validation Engineer

Gateway Search Pte Ltd; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateway Search Pte Ltd is seeking a Sr. Optical Transceiver Validation Engineer in San Jose, CA to lead switch-side optical transceiver validation, performance optimization, and system-level troubleshooting.

You will develop test plans for optical modules on data center switches, ensuring interoperability with SONiC, ONIE, or EOS, and you will automate testing with Python scripting. You will collaborate with firmware, test, design, and systems teams, presenting results to customers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a technical discipline related to optics or electronics.
• Proficiency with Python for test automation and data analysis.
• Solid understanding of optical transceiver architecture and system-level requirements.
• Familiarity with CMIS standards and optical module management.
• Hands-on experience with configuring/troubleshooting transceivers in data center environments.
• Familiarity with SONiC, ONIE, EOS, or similar OS platforms.
• Experience with data center switch platforms (NVIDIA, Arista, Celestica) is preferred.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute switch-side optical transceiver qualification test plans.
• Configure, validate, and debug optical modules on data center switch platforms with SONiC/EOS/ONIE.
• Develop Python scripts to automate test execution, data logging, and results analysis.
• Verify CMIS and module standards compliance and perform diagnostics.
• Analyze results and prepare qualification reports with cross-functional teams.
• Reproduce and troubleshoot customer-reported issues in the lab and drive root-cause analysis.
• Present qualification findings to customers and engineering teams.

Skills

Python scripting

Optical transceiver engineering

Data center switch experience

CMIS standards knowledge

SONiC/ONIE/EOS familiarity

Debugging & troubleshooting

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

CMIS tooling

Test automation frameworks

Job description

Sr. Optical Transceiver Validation Engineer

Location: San Jose, CA

Work Mode: Primarily onsite, with reasonable flexibility

About the company

A global leader in optical communications and one of the largest players in the industry, serving some of the world's leading technology companies

Position Overview

We are seeking a Sr. Optical Transceiver System Engineer specializing in switch-side optical transceiver validation, performance optimization, and system-level troubleshooting.

In this role, you will develop and execute comprehensive test plans for optical modules deployed on data center switches, ensuring product performance, interoperability, compliance, and reliability. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with mainstream data center switch platforms, familiarity with network operating systems such as SONiC, ONIE, or EOS, and strong Python scripting skills for test automation and data analysis.

You will collaborate closely with firmware, test, design, and system engineering teams to identify and resolve technical issues, while working directly with customer engineering teams to communicate qualification results, present technical findings, and support customer deployments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive switch-side optical transceiver qualification test plans covering functional, performance, interoperability, and reliability validation.
• Configure, validate, and debug optical modules on mainstream data center switch platforms, such as NVIDIA, Arista, and Celestica, running SONiC, EOS, ONIE, or similar network operating systems.
• Develop and maintain Python scripts to automate test execution, data logging, and test result analysis.
• Verify optical module compliance with CMIS, SFF-8636, and other relevant industry standards, including diagnostics, state machines, and memory maps.
• Analyze test results, prepare detailed qualification reports, and collaborate with firmware, test, design, and system engineering teams to resolve technical issues.
• Reproduce and troubleshoot customer-reported optical module issues in the laboratory, driving root cause analysis and resolution.
• Present qualification results, technical findings, and reports directly to customers, leading technical discussions with customer engineering teams.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure optical transceiver products meet performance, compliance, and interoperability requirements for customer deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Proficiency in Python scripting for test automation, data processing, and analysis.
• Solid understanding of optical transceiver architecture, module functionality, and system-level requirements.
• Familiarity with CMIS standards and optical module management, diagnostics, and control interfaces.
• Hands-on experience configuring, validating, and troubleshooting optical transceivers in a data center switch environment.
• Familiarity with network operating systems such as SONiC, ONIE, EOS, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with one or more mainstream data center switch platforms, such as NVIDIA, Arista, or Celestica, is preferred.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to independently plan and execute tests, investigate issues, and drive resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present qualification reports and technical findings clearly to customers and cross-functional stakeholders.

Why Join Us

• Collaborative and results-oriented culture: Work with a supportive engineering team that values technical excellence and practical outcomes over unnecessary overtime.
• Work-life balance: Enjoy a flexible working environment that respects personal and professional priorities.
• Advanced technology exposure: Gain hands-on experience with next-generation optical transceivers, advanced data center switch platforms, and firmware integration.
• Global customer engagement: Work with leading data center customers and ecosystem partners on challenging system-level engineering projects.
• Competitive compensation and benefits: Receive a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits.