Senior Photonics Integrated Circuit Test Engineer

Prattwhitney; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) match

Relocation assistance

Flexible work schedules

Employee Scholar Program

Job summary

RTX’s Surface Radars and Sensors Center seeks a Senior Photonics Integrated Circuit Test Engineer to advance testing across PICs, wafers, and sub‑assemblies for wideband electronic‑photonics programs.

You will implement robust test methodologies, participate in component selection, and design fixtures to expand benchtop capabilities while mentoring staff and collaborating with cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Lab experience in optical engineering tests, optical alignment systems, fiber‑waveguide coupling, and/or design verification testing.
• Experience in Silicon Photonics, Optoelectronics, MEMS R&D, and/or related photonics product development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct testing for integrated photonic components, sub-systems, and systems at die (PICs), wafer, and sub-assembly levels.
• Implement test methodologies to evaluate photonic device performance based on design specifications, optical power, polarization, spectra, and environmental conditions.
• Contribute to the selection of COTS/custom photonic components (discrete and silicon photonics), RF electronics, mixed-signal electronics, and embedded/digital signal processing solutions for wideband electronic and hybrid electronic‑photonics development programs.
• Design mechanical fixtures and identify accessories to enhance and expand benchtop test capabilities.
• Perform architectural trade studies on systems and sub-systems related to wideband RF and hybrid electronic‑photonics components and sub-systems.
• Support the development and implementation of new hybrid electronic‑photonics capabilities.
• Provide guidance, coaching, mentoring, and training to employees across the business in areas of expertise.

Skills

Photonic testing

Test automation programming

RF testing

Silicon Photonics

Optoelectronics

MEMS R&D

High-speed test equipment

Mixed-signal systems

Customer engagement

Modeling tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

MS/PhD in Physics/Optics/Photonics

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Lumerical

Cadence

Synopsis

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Photonics Integrated Circuit Test Engineer to join our Surface Radars and Sensors Center within the Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities (SETC) Discipline, supporting Advanced Technology (AT) programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct testing for integrated photonic components, sub-systems, and systems at die (PICs), wafer, and sub-assembly levels.
• Implement test methodologies to evaluate photonic device performance based on design specifications, optical power, polarization, spectra, and environmental conditions.
• Contribute to the selection of COTS/custom photonic components (discrete and silicon photonics), RF electronics, mixed-signal electronics, and embedded/digital signal processing solutions for wideband electronic and hybrid electronic‑photonics development programs.
• Design mechanical fixtures and identify accessories to enhance and expand benchtop test capabilities.
• Perform architectural trade studies on systems and sub-systems related to wideband RF and hybrid electronic‑photonics components and sub-systems.
• Support the development and implementation of new hybrid electronic‑photonics capabilities.
• Provide guidance, coaching, mentoring, and training to employees across the business in areas of expertise.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Lab experience in optical engineering tests, optical alignment systems, fiber‑waveguide coupling, and/or design verification testing.
• Experience in Silicon Photonics, Optoelectronics, MEMS R&D, and/or related photonics product development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in programming languages for test automation and accurate, efficient data acquisition.
• Experience in RF testing and characterization of photonic devices, including the use of tunable lasers, OSAs, switches, and attenuators.
• Familiarity with discrete and integrated components (Silicon, Silicon Nitride, and compound‑semiconductor technologies).
• Hands‑on experience with high‑speed test equipment such as bit‑error‑rate testers, digital communication analyzers, real‑time oscilloscopes, and vector network analyzers.
• Experience with silicon and compound semiconductor fabrication technologies.
• Proficiency in integrated photonics modeling and electronic design tools (e.g., Ansys HFSS, Lumerical, Cadence, Synopsis).
• Knowledge of microelectronic and photonic integrated circuit packaging technologies.
• Experience with high‑performance mixed‑signal systems (ADCs, DACs, FPGAs).
• Demonstrated excellence in engaging with customers and decision‑makers.
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related field.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• 401(k) match.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee Scholar Program.
• Parental leave.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Relocation assistance available.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.