Test Engineer

ORCA Computing Ltd; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ORCA Computing Ltd in Austin, TX is seeking a Photonic Test Engineer to own the test and characterization strategy for photonic integrated circuits. You will drive screening workflows and ensure alignment between design targets and measured performance.

The role requires hands-on experience with photonic/test infrastructure, data analysis of large datasets, and collaboration with fabrication and design teams to close performance gaps. Hybrid work is available.

Qualifications

• Experience in photonic or optical device test and characterization.
• Ability to design and build test infrastructure and protocols from scratch.
• Strong data analysis skills with large characterization datasets.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with fabrication and design teams to resolve performance gaps.

Responsibilities

• Own test and characterization strategy across component- and chip-level photonic devices.
• Design efficient screening processes to catch underperforming devices before post-processing.
• Build and maintain test infrastructure, protocols, and data analysis pipelines.
• Work with fabrication and design teams to diagnose and close gaps between target and actual performance.
• Automate testing workflows to improve throughput, accuracy, and repeatability.
• Analyze and report test data trends to inform design and process iterations.
• Maintain clear documentation of test protocols and results for internal and partner use.

Skills

Photonic testing

Test infrastructure design

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s or PhD in Photonics/Physics/EE

Tools

Python scripting

Lab automation tooling

Job description

ORCA Computing is developing an ultra-low loss integrated photonics platform for photonic quantum computers. Packaged devices will be deployed in real-world systems and will underpin our longer-term large-scale quantum computing architectures.

ORCA Computing is seeking a Photonic Test Engineer to own the test and characterization strategy for our photonic integrated circuits. This role is central to efficiently screening devices prior to downstream processing and to closing the loop between design targets and measured performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Own test and characterization strategy across component- and chip-level photonic devices
• Design efficient screening processes to catch underperforming devices before costly post-processing steps
• Build and maintain test infrastructure, protocols, and data analysis pipelines
• Work closely with fabrication and design teams to diagnose and close gaps between target and actual performance
• Automate testing workflows to improve throughput, accuracy, and repeatability
• Analyze and report test data trends to inform design and process iterations
• Maintain clear documentation of test protocols and results for internal and partner use

Required Qualifications

• Industry experience in photonic or optical device test and characterization
• Experience designing and building test infrastructure and protocols from the ground up
• Strong data analysis skills and comfort working with large characterization datasets
• Ability to work cross-functionally with fabrication and design teams to resolve performance gaps
• Must be based in Austin, TX, with hybrid work flexibility

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s, or PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Hands-on experience with Si Photonics
• Scripting/automation experience for test workflow development
• Experience working in a cleanroom or semiconductor fabrication environment