Test Engineering Manager, Photonics and PCBA

Canaan Partners; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 181,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401k matching

Unlimited PTO

Paid lunches

Job summary

Aeva is seeking an experienced Photonics & PCBA Test Manager to lead test strategy for photonic subsystems and boards from prototype to production. You will manage a team of test engineers and technicians, driving DFT/DFM, test infrastructure, and software frameworks for manufacturing.

The role requires deep hands-on expertise in optics and electronics, collaboration with design, manufacturing, and quality teams, and a focus on yield improvement and root-cause analysis in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• 8+ years in photonics and/or PCBA test engineering with leadership experience.
• Hands-on with optical test equipment and electrical debug tools.
• Experience designing automated test systems and testability (DFT/DFM).
• Strong Python for test automation and data analysis.
• Experience with contract manufacturers and overseas factories.

Responsibilities

• Own test strategy and coverage for photonic devices, optical modules, and PCBAs.
• Lead PCBA electrical test development (ICT, boundary scan, functional test).
• Develop test stations and optical aligners for LiDAR manufacturing; automate with MES integration.
• Review schematic/layout for testability and robustness.
• Drive test software frameworks for manufacturing stations and data logging.
• Architect automated test systems with optical/electrical equipment.
• Standardize test platforms for EVT/DVT to HVM scalability.
• Build and mentor a team of test engineers.
• Manage test schedules, resources, and risk across programs.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, quality; support NPI and factory bring-up.
• Lead yield analysis, GR&R, SPC, and failure trend analysis.
• Lead root-cause investigations of optical/electrical failures.
• Ensure compliance with industry and customer quality standards.

Skills

Test leadership

Python automation

DFT/DFM

Yield optimization

Root-cause analysis

Test automation

Industrial robotics

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical/Optical Engineering

Tools

Lasers

OSAs

Interferometers

Cameras

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

SMUs

Pattern generators

Job description

About us:

Aeva’s mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security, and beyond. Aeva is transforming autonomy with its groundbreaking sensing and perception technology that integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Photonics & PCBA Test Manager to lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of test strategies for photonic subsystems, boards and assemblies. This role owns optical, electrical, and module test coverage from prototype through production, while managing a team of test engineers and technicians.

The ideal candidate is deeply hands-on, understands both optics and electronics, manufacturing and can drive test infrastructure, DFT, yield improvement, and root-cause analysis in a fast-paced environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Own test strategy and coverage for photonic devices (lasers, SOA, photo detectors, Silicon Photonics), optical modules, and associated PCBAs across all product lifecycle phases.
• Lead PCBA electrical test development, including ICT, boundary scan, functional test, and system-level validation.
• Lead the development of test stations and optical aligners for Aeva’s LiDAR manufacturing line, including hardware design, automation and integration with factory MES systems.
• Review and influence schematic, layout, and optical design for testability (DFT/DFM).
• Drive development of test software frameworks (Python preferred) for manufacturing stations automation, data logging, and analytics.
• Architect and maintain automated test systems integrating optical instrumentation (lasers, power meters, OSAs, cameras) and electrical equipment (DMMs, scopes, SMUs, pattern generators).
• Standardize test platforms to enable scalability from EVT/DVT to HVM.
• Build, mentor, and lead a team of photonics and PCBA test engineers.
• Own test schedules, resourcing, and risk mitigation across multiple programs.
• Collaborate closely with product design, manufacturing, and quality teams and support NPI and factory bring-up, including test transfer to contract manufacturers.
• Drive yield analysis, GR&R, SPC, and failure trend analysis.
• Lead root-cause investigations of optical and electrical failures (signal integrity, noise, alignment drift, thermal issues).
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry and customer quality standards.

What you’ll have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in photonics and/or PCBA test engineering, with 3+ years in a leadership or management role.
• Strong hands-on experience with optical test equipment (lasers, photodiodes, OSAs, interferometers, cameras) and electrical debug tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, SMUs) and mixed-signal PCBA validation.
• Experience with PCBA test and design for test for ICT and FCT.
• Experience working with industrial robots and handling systems.
• Proven experience designing automated test systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python for test automation and data analysis.
• Solid understanding of DFT principles, manufacturing test flows, and yield optimization.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and overseas factories.

What’s in it for you:

• Be part of an early start-up that’s backed by industry-leading venture capitalists
• Very competitive compensation and meaningful equity!
• Exceptional benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and more!
• 401k matching
• Unlimited PTO: We care about results, not punching timecards
• Paid lunches, ping pong tournaments, and fun team off-sites!

Aeva is an Equal Opportunity Employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

181100 - 245000 USD a year

Salary pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, certifications, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges are subject to change in the future.

Depending on the position offered, equity, bonus, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, pre-tax commuter and health care/dependent care accounts, 401k plan, life and disability benefits, flexible time off, paid parental leave, and 11 paid holidays annually.