Photonics IC Validation and Characterization Engineer (title will reflect experience)

Eliyan Corporation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Eliyan Corporation in San Francisco seeks a curious new or recent graduate to advance validation and characterization within AI infrastructure. You’ll perform high-speed testing and debugging on devices such as VCSELs and photodiodes in a technical lab environment.

The ideal candidate will hold an MS or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related field, and have experience with optical and electrical testing tools, ideally in Python-based environments. This hands-on role offers the opportunity to provide feedback to design teams and contribute to innovative technology at hyperscale.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in relevant engineering or physical sciences.
• Hands-on experience with test and measurement in a lab environment.
• Familiarity with high-speed and optical test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform testing of VCSELs and photodiodes using high-speed instrumentation.
• Build and run test automation, present data to teams.
• Debug setups and provide feedback to designers.

Skills

High-speed test and measurement

Debugging skills

Python programming

Communication skills

Education

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or Physics

Tools

Optical and electrical test equipment

Python

Job description

Eliyan is building NuLink, a proprietary die-to-die chiplet interconnect fabric purpose-built for AI infrastructure at hyperscale. We’re looking for a hands-on, curious new or recent graduate to join our validation and characterization team working at the intersection of silicon photonics and high-speed electrical interconnect. You will bring up real devices, characterize VCSELs, photodiodes, and the analog circuits that drive and receive them, and feed what you learn directly back to the designers shaping the next generation of parts.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform electrical and optical high-speed modulation testing of VCSELs and photodiodes using >50 GHz instrumentation, along with optical and electrical probe stations, in a Python-based test environment. This is a hands‑on role.
• Build and run test automation, then analyze and present the resulting data clearly to engineering and cross-functional audiences.
• Debug measurement setups and devices methodically — isolating issues across the optical, electrical, and software domains.
• Provide structured feedback to analog circuit designers on silicon performance, design quality, and operating margins.
• Contribute to test plans, characterization reports, and lab documentation.

Minimum Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Hands‑on lab instincts and a genuine interest in high-speed test and measurement.
• Familiarity (through coursework, research, or internships) with high-speed and optical test equipment such as fast lasers and optical receivers, spectrum analyzer, AWG, BERT, oscilloscopes, DCA, DSO, VNA, and LCA.
• Working knowledge of Python for test automation and data analysis.
• Strong debugging, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on projects and internship experience in RF, microwave, or optical interconnect.
• Exposure to VCSEL, photodiode, or SerDes characterization.
• Familiarity with device engineering, high-speed substrate and PCB design and manufacturing.