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Salary: USD 130,000 - 230,000 / annual
OpenLight Photonics is seeking a Senior Photonics Systems & Applications Engineer to drive hands-on lab-based testing, characterization, and system integration of photonic components and integrated circuits (PICs) on their heterogeneously integrated silicon photonics platform. You will work across optical and high-speed system evaluation, leading projects with ecosystem partners and customers to ensure platform compatibility for communications, lidar, quantum computing, and sensing applications.
Key responsibilities include characterizing photonic components (lasers, modulators, amplifiers, detectors) and high-speed systems for bandwidth and BER performance; building and automating test stations; developing evaluation hardware by architecting designs and guiding external suppliers through fabrication and assembly; performing high-speed electrical and optical modeling using tools like Keysight ADS; and providing technical support to customers integrating OpenLight PICs into their systems. You will also build and demonstrate technology at customer sites and conferences, generate technical documentation, and collaborate across internal teams and external partners.
Required background includes an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or related field, with proven experience in design, test, and debug of photonic and high-speed systems (particularly transceivers). You must have hands-on expertise with optical and high-speed test equipment, strong Python programming ability, PCB design and debug skills, and familiarity with firmware architectures. Experience with photonic modules (transceivers, lidar), small/large-signal modeling, and Keysight ADS is highly valued. The ideal candidate is analytical, communicative, collaborative, self-starting, and thrives in fast-paced startup environments.
OpenLight operates on a hybrid schedule with three days per week in office; you choose which days based on work priorities. The company offers competitive compensation, ISOs, insurance, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, and a collaborative culture focused on advancing cutting-edge photonic integration technology.
