Senior Photonic Systems & Applications Engineer

OpenLight Photonics Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenLight Photonics Inc. in Santa Clara, CA, seeks a Photonic Systems and Applications Engineer to perform hands-on lab testing of photonic components, PICs, and systems for communications, lidar, and sensing.

You will lead evaluation hardware, develop test stations, model high-speed behavior, and communicate results to customers and partners while collaborating across teams.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in electrical engineering or photonics.
• Experience in design, test and debug of photonic and high-speed systems.
• Experience with transceivers, lidar modules is preferred.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; collaborative mindset.
• Hands-on experience with optical and high-speed test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Characterize photonic components and PICs on OpenLight platform, including lasers, modulators, and amplifiers.
• Build test stations, procure equipment, automate tests, and develop test code.
• Deliver demonstrations on-site and at conferences for customers.
• Lead programs to architect and define new evaluation hardware with external suppliers.
• Model small- and large-signal performance of high-speed components on PCBs and substrates.
• Communicate results clearly through customer-facing documentation.
• Support customer system integration and answer technical questions with documentation.

Skills

Python

High-speed testing

PCB schematics

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or Photonics

Tools

Keysight ADS

Job description

The Role

As a Photonic Systems and Applications Engineer, you will roll up your sleeves for hands-on lab-based testing and analysis of photonic components, integrated circuits (PICs), and systems; and also lead projects with our ecosystem partners and customers to ensure compatibility and suitability of the platform for applications in communications, lidar, quantum computing, sensing, and more. This role is certain to stretch your background in optical, electrical, and high-speed system integration design, modeling, and testing in ways that are sure to contribute to career development.

What You Will Do

• Optical & High-Speed Evaluation Hardware Characterization : Characterize photonic components and PICs fabricated on OpenLight’s integrated photonic platform including lasers, modulators, amplifiers, and other optical components. Characterize high speed photonic systems for bandwidth, large signal eye-diagram performance, and BER. Work with PCBs and substrates that integrate OpenLight PICs with control and high-speed electronics including DSPs. Build and develop test stations including equipment procurement, test station automation, and test code development. Debug and enhance existing firmware. Analyze data, summarize findings, and clearly communicate conclusions.

• Demonstrations : Build and support technology demonstrations on-site and at conferences, communicating clearly and effectively with customers.

• Evaluation Hardware Development : Lead programs to architect and define new evaluation hardware, and then guide external suppliers through the design, fabrication, assembly, test, and final delivery.

• High-Speed Modeling : Model small and large-signal performance of OpenLight high-speed components when integrated onto PCBs and substrates.

• Internal and External Communication : Engage with team members and customers, including generating customer-facing documentation.

• Customer System Integration Support : Address customer inquiries and provide detailed and clear documentation of test results and conclusions. Support customer system integration of OpenLight PICs by answering technical questions and supplying supporting documentation.

Your Background Includes

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or related field

• Relevant experience in design, test, and debug of photonic and high-speed systems, particularly transceivers, is required.

• Strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset.

• Hands-on experience with optical and high-speed test equipment.

• Strong Python (or similar) programming ability. Familiarity with firmware architectures and debug.

• Ability to read a schematic, ability to debug, and general familiarity with printed circuit boards (PCBs).

• Experience in design and test of photonic modules such as transceivers or Lidar modules

• Proficiency with Keysight ADS, and understanding of small and large-signal modeling of high-speed communication systems.

• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, partners, and customers.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment and adapt to evolving priorities.

• Self-starting and independent but able to collaborate with teams inside and outside the company.

About OpenLight

OpenLight is growing as customer adoption and industry momentum continue to accelerate. The rapid growth of AI and cloud infrastructure is driving unprecedented demand for faster, more energy-efficient optical connectivity. We are addressing this challenge through a platform approach that simplifies the development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and accelerates industry adoption.

As part of our team, you will contribute to technologies that enable AI and hyperscale data centers, high-speed optical communications, advanced sensing applications, next-generation photonic integration, and more. Our team is collaborative and fast-moving, and you will have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions across technology, operations, and business growth.

If you are excited about solving challenging problems, advancing cutting-edge technology, and working with a highly collaborative team, we would love to hear from you.