Senior RF Test Engineer

Neara; Goleta (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenLight Photonics in Goleta, CA is seeking a Senior RF Test Engineer to design, automate, and execute high-speed test solutions for silicon photonics devices and PICs at wafer, die, and package levels. You will develop custom test hardware and software for 100-400 Gb/s eye testing and work with industry-standard equipment.

The role requires an advanced degree in physics or EE, strong background in photonic and high-speed RF testing, and Python programming.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience in photonic and high-speed RF testing.
• Programming experience, preferably in Python.
• Demonstrated experience in data acquisition systems and data analysis, and fitting test data to model equations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Initiative and ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop custom test hardware and automated test software for wafer and die testing on our proprietary test stations.
• Design and implement custom test solutions for 100-400 Gb/s eye testing at the die and wafer level and execute DVT testing on 1.6T and 3.2T optical transceivers using industry-standard equipment like BERTs, DCAs, VNAs, and AWGs.
• Match experimental data to modulator equivalent circuit models.
• Implement methods of measuring laser RIN and compare performance.
• Write and debug test automation scripts in Python, verify analysis equations, and execute tests on the designated test station.
• Perform data analysis in JMP or Python and communicate with customers on test plans and results.
• Supervise facilities technician and equipment contractors for ongoing maintenance.

Skills

Python

RF testing

Photonic testing

Data analysis

Test automation

Education

Advanced degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

BERTs

DCAs

VNAs

AWGs

Job description

Senior RF Test Engineer

Job type: Full Time · Department: Back-end Ecosystem · Work type: Hybrid · USD 100,000-165,000 / year

Goleta, California, United States

The Role

As a member of OpenLight’s test engineering team based in Goleta, CA, you will work closely with a team of experienced engineers in designing, implementing, automating and executing test solutions to validate the functionality of Silicon Photonics devices and Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) at the wafer- , die-, and package levels. The testing focus is high-speed modulator testing of S parameters and eye diagrams with bandwidth up to 400 Gb/s. If you have a strong background in optical and electrical device testing with experience in test automation, this role may be an excellent fit for you!

OpenLight Photonics is an innovative start-up at the forefront of photonic integration, commercializing our cutting-edge heterogeneously integrated silicon photonics platform. OpenLight has a PDK that supports customers designing Photonic ASICs (PASICs) for applications in communications, LIDAR, quantum computing, sensing, and more. OpenLight has over 400 patents covering the integration of many different active and passive components, such as tunable lasers, DFBs, SOAs, modulators, switches, filters, and detectors, onto a single, silicon photonics chip. Join us in an exciting start-up environment with ample opportunities for growth and professional development.

What You Will Do

• Develop custom test hardware and automated test software for wafer and die testing on our proprietary test stations

• Design and implement custom test solutions for 100-400 Gb/s eye testing at the die and wafer level and execute DVT testing on 1.6T and 3.2 T optical transceivers using industry-standard equipment like BERTs, DCAs, VNAs, and AWGs.

• Match experimental data to modulator equivalent circuit models

• Implement different methods of measuring laser RIN and compare their performance

• Write and debug the test automation scripts in python, implement and verify the analysis equations, and execute the tests on the designated test station

• Perform data analysis in Jmp or python, and communicate with internal and external customers on the test plans, results, and project status

• Supervise our facilities technician and equipment contractors for ongoing equipment maintenance

Your Background Includes

• Advanced degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering

• Experience in photonic and high-speed RF testing

• Programming experience, preferably in Python

• Demonstrated experience in data acquisition systems and data analysis, and fitting test data to model equations

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

• Initiative and ability to work independently

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and reporting.

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.