Senior/Principal Systems Integration Engineer – Optical Transceivers (On-site)

Polaris Electro-Optics, Inc.; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Polaris Electro-Optics, Inc. in San Diego seeks a Senior or Principal Systems Integration Engineer to own system-level bring-up, calibration, characterization, and integration of next-generation optical transceiver platforms.

This hands-on role requires deep lab involvement across photonics, high-speed electronics, firmware, and test. The ideal candidate has spent significant time in an optical communications lab and is highly comfortable performing delicate calibration and operating high-end

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical/Optical Engineering or Physics.
• Hands-on experience bringing up IM/DD optical transceiver systems.
• Experience with high-speed lab instrumentation.
• Experience with PAM4 links at 50G/lane and 100G/lane or above.
• Strong software skills for test automation and data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python or equivalent for automation and debug.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end bring-up of optical modules and evaluation systems.
• Develop bring-up sequences covering power, control, MZM bias/heater calibration, driver/TIA configuration, and link validation.
• Operate and automate high-end lab equipment including BERTs, AWGs, real-time oscilloscopes, DSAs, sampling scopes, optical power meters, VOAs, and related optical/RF equipment.
• Perform high-speed Tx/Rx characterization including eye diagrams, BER, OMA, extinction ratio, TDECQ/TECQ-related measurements, sensitivity, and link-margin studies.
• Develop and execute calibration procedures for MZM operating point, monitor photodiode response, TIA gain/bandwidth, driver gain/CTLE/output-current settings, and power levels.
• Debug complex interactions among photonics, package, RF hardware, firmware, power, and test equipment.
• Build test automation software, data collection, plotting, and experiment-control tools.
• Work with hardware and photonics engineers to identify root causes and drive corrective actions.
• Define representative multi-lane demo configurations and validate repeatability across all module channels.
• Own system-level test plans, integration testing, bring-up checklists, calibration records, and demo procedures.
• Ensure stable and repeatable operation to support customer-facing and conference demonstrations.

Skills

Lab troubleshooting

Hands-on work

Python scripting

Cross-functional collaboration

High-speed data systems

PAM4 link experience

Instrumentation operation

Education

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

Tools

Python

Job description

Polaris Electro-Optics is a rapidly growing photonics company developing breakthrough

optical interconnect technology for data centers, AI, and high-performance computing.

Their proprietary FenGlass™ platform integrates ferroelectric nematic materials into silicon

photonics, enabling faster, compact, and more energy-efficient solutions. Located in San

Diego and backed by substantial funding, Polaris is scaling to meet demand from hyperscale

customers and transceiver suppliers.

Role Summary

We are looking for a Senior or Principal Systems Integration Engineer to own system-level bring-up, calibration, characterization, and integration of next-generation optical transceiver platforms. This is a highly hands-on role requiring deep lab involvement and cross-functional troubleshooting across photonics, high-speed electronics, firmware, and test. As the organization grows, this person may also help establish systems-integration practices and mentor future team members.

The ideal candidate has spent significant time in an optical communications lab and is highly comfortable performing delicate calibration and operating high-end test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end bring-up of optical modules and evaluation systems.
• Develop detailed bring-up sequences covering power, control, MZM bias/heater calibration, driver/TIA configuration, and link validation.
• Operate and automate high-end lab equipment including BERTs, AWGs, real-time oscilloscopes, DSAs, sampling scopes, optical power meters, VOAs, and related optical/RF equipment.
• Perform high-speed Tx/Rx characterization including eye diagrams, BER, OMA, extinction ratio, TDECQ/TECQ-related measurements, sensitivity, and link-margin studies.
• Develop and execute calibration procedures for MZM operating point, monitor photodiode response, TIA gain/bandwidth, driver gain/CTLE/output-current settings, and power levels.
• Debug complex interactions among photonics, package, RF hardware, firmware, power, and test equipment.
• Build test automation software, data collection, plotting, and experiment-control tools.
• Work with hardware and photonics engineers to identify root causes and drive corrective actions.
• Define representative multi-lane demo configurations and validate repeatability across all module channels.
• Own system-level test plans, integration testing, bring-up checklists, calibration records, and demo procedures.
• Ensure stable and repeatable operation to support customer-facing and conference demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Minimum B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Direct industry experience bringing up, debugging, and validating IM/DD optical transceiver systems.
• Hands-on experience with high-speed optical/electrical lab instrumentation.
• Experience with PAM4 links at 50G/lane and 100G/lane or above strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of optical link budgets, MZM behavior, photodiodes, TIAs, driver equalization, and receiver performance.
• Experience with BER testing, eye-diagram analysis, optical power measurements, and calibration procedures.
• Strong software skills for instrument automation and data analysis.
• Methodical troubleshooting skills and comfort working with sensitive first-generation hardware.
• Proficiency in Python or an equivalent scripting/programming language for test automation, data analysis, instrument control, and system-level debug.

Preferred

• Familiarity with IEEE 802.3 optical metrics.
• Experience with Keysight, Anritsu, Tektronix, or equivalent high-end datacom test platforms.
• Experience preparing live technology demonstrations for industry events.
• Familiarity with multi-lane optical modules and fiber-array setups.