The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated Photonic Systems Test Engineer to join our dynamic team. This role involves hands-on lab-based testing and analysis of photonic systems integrating photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in optical communications system test.

What You Will Do

• Hardware Characterization: Characterization of photonic systems integrating PICs fabricated on OpenLight's heterogeneous III-V Si platform. Work with PCBs and substrates that integrate OpenLight PICs with control and high-speed electronics like power supplies, DACs, ADCs, microcontrollers, high speed drivers, TIAs, and DSPs. Build and develop test stations including equipment procurement, test station automation, and test code development. Debug and enhance existing firmware.

• Optical and High-Speed Testing: Perform optical testing on photonic systems, characterizing integrated lasers, modulators, amplifiers, and other optical components. Characterize high speed photonic systems for bandwidth, large signal eye-diagram performance, and BER.

• Demonstrations: Build and support technology demonstrations on-site and at conferences, communicating clearly and effectively with customers.

• Data Analysis and Communication: Analyze data, summarize findings, and clearly communicate conclusions.

• Internal and External Communication: Engage with team members and customers, including generating customer-facing documentation.

• Customer System Integration Support: Address customer inquiries and provide detailed and clear documentation of test results and conclusions. Support customer system integration of OpenLight PICs by answering technical questions and supplying supporting documentation.

Your Experience Includes

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or related field

• Relevant experience in photonic and high-speed optical communication system testing and analysis is required

• Strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset

• Hands-on experience with optical and high-speed test equipment

• Strong Python (or similar) programming ability. Familiarity with firmware architectures and debug

• Ability to read a schematic, ability to debug, and general familiarity with printed circuit boards (PCBs)

• Experience in design and test of photonic modules such as transceivers or Lidar modules

• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, partners, and customers

• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment and adapt to evolving priorities

• Self-starting and independent but able to collaborate with teams inside and outside the company

About OpenLight

OpenLight Photonics is an innovative start-up at the forefront of photonic integration, commercializing our cutting-edge heterogeneously integrated silicon photonics platform. OpenLight has a PDK that supports customers designing Photonic ASICs (PASICs) for applications in communications, LIDAR, quantum computing, sensing, and more. OpenLight has over 300 patents covering the integration of many different active and passive components, such as tunable lasers, DFBs, SOAs, modulators, switches, filters, and detectors, onto a single, silicon photonics chip. Join us in an exciting start-up environment with ample opportunities for growth and professional development.

We continue with a hybrid schedule, with a standard of three days/week in office; you select the days you're in, based on what's best for your work priorities.

OpenLight's salary for technical roles is dependent on the skills and experience of the individual, their primary work location, and other parameters; annual salary will generally be somewhere between $130,000-$230,000. In addition to cash compensation, OpenLight offers incentive stock options (ISOs), generous insurance support, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, spot bonuses, and a positive work environment. If you are excited about solving challenging problems, advancing cutting-edge technology, and working with a highly collaborative team, we would love to hear from you.