Sr Principal Laser Diode Engineer

Molex; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Parental Leave

Infertility Assistance

Job summary

Molex, a leader in high-performance optical solutions, seeks a Sr Principal Laser Diode Engineer to drive design, performance, and reliability of semiconductor lasers across products. You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers to ensure strict quality and reliability standards are met.

The role emphasizes expertise in GaAs-based laser diodes, epi, and packaging, with extensive experience in failure analysis, qualification testing, and supplier development.

Qualifications

• PhD in Photonics, Semiconductors, Optics or related laser technology.
• At least 10 years of industry experience with designing semiconductor lasers.
• Experience in design, epi, fabrication, testing, and productization of semiconductor lasers.

Responsibilities

• Provide detailed technical expertise on III-V laser diode designs to guide R&D team.
• Define and implement performance and reliability specifications of semiconductor lasers.
• Provide perspective on laser-diode supplier selection and reliability modeling.
• Support failure analysis investigations and resolution strategies for laser failures.
• Work with optical packaging team to create next-gen designs.
• Support supplier development initiatives, audits, quality improvement plans, and risk mitigation.

Skills

III-V laser design

GaAs-based designs

Reliability modeling

Failure analysis

Semiconductor laser design

Vendor communication

Education

PhD in Photonics/Optics/related laser tech

Tools

ReliaSoft Weibull++

JMP

Job description

Molex possesses a rich heritage in the optical industry. We provide the highest performing and field-proven optical solutions from components, modules to integrated line-cards. We provide cutting edge wavelength management and amplifier technologies. Our comprehensive optical, mechanical, electrical and software integration capabilities enable us to serve the needs of high-density, high-bandwidth, and flexible optical networks.

The Sr Principal Laser Diode Engineer will be responsible for laser design, driving selection, performance, and reliability assurance of semiconductor lasers inside Molex's products. This role involves close collaboration with product design teams, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers to ensure laser components meet stringent quality and reliability standards.

What You Will Do

• Provide detailed technical expertise on III-V laser diode designs to guide R&D team for competitive product architectures (especially GaAs-based, secondarily InP-based), including design refinements (i.e., epi, process) to improve supplier performance/reliability
• Define and implement performance and reliability specifications of semiconductor lasers aligned with product requirements and roadmaps
• Provide perspective on laser-diode supplier selection, including technology maturity assessments, reliability assessment/modeling (e.g., Weibull, lognormal, etc.)
• Support failure analysis investigations and resolution strategies for laser failures, working closely with internal teams, suppliers, and customers
• Work intimately with optical packaging team to create next-gen designs (e.g., CPO, ELSFP)
• Support supplier development initiatives, e.g., audits, quality improvement plans, and risk mitigation strategies

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• PhD in Photonics, Semiconductors, Optics or related laser technology
• At least 10 years of industry experience with designing semiconductor lasers
• Experience in design, epi, fabrication, testing, and productization of semiconductor lasers (e.g., especially high-power lasers and transmitters)
• Knowledge of laser and component qualification tests (i.e., GR-468), multicell reliability testing, methodology and analytic tools (e.g., ReliaSoft Weibull++/ALTA, JMP)
• Experience with failure mode signatures associated with these devices, and track record of FMA and resolution
• Experienced in creating specifications of semiconductor lasers
• Experience of communication with vendors and customers

For this role, we anticipate paying $180,000 - 350,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.