Senior Photonics Test Engineer

QuEra Computing Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

QuEra Computing Inc. is seeking a Senior Photonics Test Engineer to architect and build die-level and wafer-level photonic test beds. You will own operation, define test criteria, and automate testing pipelines supporting QPU development.

You will collaborate with photonic design engineers, foundry partners, and technicians to ensure repeatable, high-throughput measurements and robust data delivery for design-fab-test cycles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in EE, physics, optical engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years as a Test Engineer or Photonics Engineer with hands-on testing.
• Experience building test infrastructure for photonic or optoelectronic devices.
• Lab skills with fiber optics and free-space optics, including fiber-to-chip coupling.
• Strong automation with Python; experience with SCPI, PyVISA, or LabVIEW.
• Knowledge of wafer-level test concepts and statistical yield analysis.

Responsibilities

• Architect and build die-level and wafer-level photonic test beds from scratch.
• Run die-level and wafer-level test campaigns, maximize throughput and uptime.
• Develop automated test software in Python for instrument control and data processing.
• Define verification specs and pass/fail criteria with design engineers and foundries.
• Generate test reports and yield analyses documenting dies, wafers, and lots.
• Develop critical test methodologies to enable next-generation QPUs.

Skills

Python programming

LabVIEW

SCPI/PyVISA

Optical alignment

Photonics instrumentation

Wafer probing/testing

Documentation & communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in EE/Physics/Optical Engineering

Tools

FormFactor/Cascade

MPI

Maple Leaf Photonics

Job description

SummaryThe Photonics team at QuEra pioneers cutting-edge photonic chips for integration into neutral-atom quantum computers. Scaling our technology requires high-volume, high-precision characterization of the photonic chips that manipulate atoms and light. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Photonics Test Engineer to architect and build our die-level and wafer-level photonic test beds from the ground up, and to own their operation as they become the backbone of our design-fab-test iteration cycle. The individual in this role will work closely with photonic design engineers, foundry partners, and system integrators to define test criteria, stand up automated test infrastructure, and deliver the measurement data that drives the next generation of our quantum processing units (QPUs). This individual owns their project progress against department and company goals and may also mentor colleagues across several such projects.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and build die-level and wafer-level photonic test beds from scratch, including probe stations, optical and electrical probing, fixturing, alignment automation, instrumentation, and environmental controls.
• Own the day-to-day operation of the test beds: run die-level and wafer-level test campaigns, maximize throughput and uptime, and maintain calibration and measurement repeatability.
• Develop automated test software in Python for instrument control, wafer maps, data acquisition, analysis pipelines, and reporting dashboards.
• Work with photonic design engineers and foundry partners to define verification specs, test structures, and pass/fail criteria for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and close the loop on design-fab-test iteration cycles.
• Generate test reports and statistical yield analyses to properly document every die, wafer, and lot, and communicate results to a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
• Develop and de-risk critical test methodologies and components to enable the next generation QPU.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, physics, optical engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years working as a Test Engineer or Photonics Engineer with hands-on responsibility for photonic or semiconductor device testing.
• Demonstrated experience standing up new test infrastructure: specifying, procuring, integrating, and bringing up wafer probers or die-level test stations for photonic or optoelectronic devices.
• Hands-on laboratory skills with fiber optics and free-space optics, including fiber-to-chip and edge/grating coupling, active alignment, lasers, detectors, and optical modulators.
• Strong automation experience and programming in Python; experience programming lab equipment using SCPI, PyVISA, or LabVIEW.
• Knowledge of fundamental electrical, mechanical, and optics concepts, and experience with hardware debugging.
• Familiarity with wafer-level test concepts such as wafer maps, known-good-die screening, process control monitoring (PCM), and statistical yield analysis.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills, including the ability to explain test procedures and measurement data.
• The individual in this role has a deep interest in developing and commercializing quantum technologies and is a self-starter with previous experience working in a highly collaborative work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience testing photonic integrated circuits at a foundry, OSAT, or high-volume photonics manufacturer.
• Experience with automated probe stations and wafer handling equipment (e.g., FormFactor/Cascade, MPI, Maple Leaf Photonics).
• Experience with cleanroom protocols and handling of bare die and wafers.
• Experience building test data infrastructure (databases, dashboards, analysis pipelines).

This is an onsite position. Relocation assistance available.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.