Yield & Quality Engineer – UHP and CW Laser / Photonics Semiconductor

Lumentum Operations LLC; Greensboro, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumentum seeks an experienced Yield & Quality Engineer with a strong background in ultra-high‑power semiconductor laser chip fabrication and photonics to drive yield improvements and lead investigations across R&D, process and manufacturing teams in Greensboro, NC.

The role emphasizes data‑driven analysis (SPC/DOE), cross‑functional collaboration, and delivering measurable improvements in device performance and reliability, with opportunities to influence quality systems and 8D/CAPA processes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or related field.
• Ph.D./MS/BS with multi-year industry experience in semiconductor lasers or photonics.
• Experience with yield engineering, data mining and problem solving in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Drive yield improvement for semiconductor laser wafer and chip fabrication through data analysis.
• Lead root‑cause investigations using structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Design and execute DOE for process improvement experiments.
• Establish and monitor yield, process, and quality metrics.
• Participate in 8D, CAPA, FMEA and SPC activities.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with device engineering, wafer fabrication, reliability and quality teams.

Skills

Data mining

DOE

SPC

Python

SQL

JMP

Statistics

Education

Ph.D. with 5+ years

M.S. with 8+ years

B.S. with 10+ years

Tools

JMP

Python

SQL

Job description

It’s fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing! We’re committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over‑achievers, you’ll enjoy your career with us! We are seeking an experienced Yield & Quality Engineer with a strong technical background in ultra‑high‑power (UHP) semiconductor laser chip fabrication or closely related photonics/compound‑semiconductor technology. This role will focus on improving manufacturing yield, driving process and improvements and device performance, and leading the investigation and resolution of complex quality and reliability issues. The ideal candidate combines a strong understanding of semiconductor laser device physics, wafer/chip fabrication processes, statistical data analysis, and structured problem solving, and can effectively work across R&D, process engineering, manufacturing, reliability, and quality teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive yield improvement for semiconductor laser wafer and chip fabrication through systematic analysis of manufacturing, process, test, and device‑performance data.
• Analyze large datasets to identify yield limiters, process excursions, and systematic failure signatures.
• Lead root‑cause investigations for manufacturing and customer quality issues using structured problem‑solving methodologies and data‑driven analysis.
• Work with process engineering and R&D teams to design and execute DOE for process improvement experiments.
• Establish and monitor yield, process, and quality metrics to identify abnormal trends and excursions.
• Lead or contribute to 8D, CAPA, FMEA, SPC, and other quality‑improvement activities.
• Partner cross‑functionally with device engineering, wafer fabrication, chip processing, manufacturing, test, reliability, quality, and supplier teams.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations clearly to manufacturing, engineering teams, and management.

Required Technical Background:

• Strong understanding of semiconductor device physics, preferably semiconductor lasers, high‑power laser diodes, or related optoelectronic devices.
• Experience with UHP/high‑power laser chip fabrication is strongly preferred; relevant experience in photonics, optoelectronics, III‑V semiconductors, or other semiconductor manufacturing environments will also be considered.
• Strong experience in yield engineering and data mining, with demonstrated ability to translate manufacturing and test data into actionable yield‑improvement opportunities.
• Solid understanding of statistical analysis and engineering methods such as SPC, DOE, and correlation/regression analysis.
• Experience investigating quality, reliability, manufacturing, or customer‑return issues and driving problems from initial containment through verified root cause and corrective action.
• Experience with analytical/data‑mining tools such as JMP, Python, SQL, or equivalent is highly desirable.

Education & Experience

Candidates should have a degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline, with one of the following combinations:

• Ph.D. with 5+ years of relevant industry experience;
• M.S. with 8+ years of relevant industry experience;
• B.S. with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.

Relevant experience should preferably include semiconductor lasers, photonics, optoelectronics, compound‑semiconductor fabrication, or other semiconductor manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with high‑power or ultra‑high‑power semiconductor laser diodes.
• Experience correlating wafer fabrication parameters with optical/electrical device performance and reliability.
• Knowledge of III‑V materials and devices, particularly InP‑based laser technologies.
• Experience with wafer‑level or chip‑level test data analysis.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable improvements in yield, process capability, product quality, or reliability.
• Strong understanding of failure mechanisms and failure‑analysis techniques relevant to semiconductor laser devices.
• Experience working in a high‑volume or rapidly scaling semiconductor/photonics manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical communication and structured problem‑solving skills.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $89,650 – $166,000USD. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Lumentum is illuminating the networks of tomorrow with advanced photonic technologies that enable AI, data centers, telecom, industrial, and sensing applications. As AI accelerates the global demand for bandwidth and energy efficiency, we deliver the building blocks that keep data moving reliably, efficiently, and at massive scale. Our optical products support AI and compute infrastructure, cloud and DCI environments, metro and long‑haul networks, while our lasers drive breakthroughs in precision manufacturing and sensing. For nearly five decades, Lumentum has been at the intersection of light and innovation. What began as a vision with JDS Uniphase to harness the power of photonics has evolved into a global force driving the communication infrastructure of tomorrow. At Lumentum, we’re building more than a business—we’re building a team of passionate innovators whose drive to collaborate, create, and connect the world fuels everything we do. We are part of the AI technology revolution and we are illuminating the path forward. Headquartered in San Jose, California, we operate worldwide through a network of R&D, manufacturing, and sales locations.