Manager, Photonics Hardware Validation Engineering

PsiQuantum•Milpitas, CA

3d•$140,900 - $236,600

About The Position

The Engineering Manager, Photonics Hardware Validation owns the characterization, verification, validation, performance classification, and failure analysis of electro-optical subassemblies integrated with custom photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The role primarily focuses on validating single-photon sources and detectors, including their RF signal readout chain, and leads validation strategy and execution from proof-of-concept test methodologies and early hardware bring-up through qualification and manufacturing readiness. The position combines people leadership with technical oversight. It partners with photonics design, electrical, mechanical, packaging, firmware, software, systems, product engineering, and manufacturing teams to verify requirements, resolve hardware issues, and provide evidence of design and manufacturing readiness. The manager also works with operations teams to define production-unit test methods and manages validation schedules, laboratory capacity, equipment needs, and cross-functional dependencies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, optics, photonics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
At least 8 years of relevant industry experience in optical and electro-optical hardware characterization, validation, and test.
At least 2 years of people management or demonstrated technical and team leadership.
Strong foundation in silicon photonics, optical systems, and electro-optical characterization, including insertion loss, return loss, and hands-on use of optical test equipment.
Hands-on expertise with optical and RF laboratory instrumentation and RF readout electronics such as LNAs, bias tees, and baluns, including measurement uncertainty and quantitative troubleshooting.
Proven record leading cross-functional hardware validation and failure analysis, including hardware bring-up, requirements-based test planning, issue closure, and qualification.
Experience analyzing data using Python, MATLAB, or comparable environments, with an emphasis on reproducible and traceable results.
Ability to lead cross-functional technical decisions, manage competing priorities, and communicate complex engineering issues clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Ability to mentor engineers, develop technical leads, and establish repeatable validation practices.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline.
Experience with single-photon detection, low-noise RF readout chains, and characterization of low-level optical and electrical signals.
Experience with wafer-level or packaged-device characterization, PIC integration, and design-for-test methodologies for photonic hardware.
Experience with reliability qualification, statistical analysis, design of experiments, and production yield improvement.
Experience testing in cryogenic environments or validating photonics hardware for quantum computing applications, including thermo-mechanical stress.

Responsibilities

Lead, hire, and grow a photonics hardware validation team; define technical ownership, priorities, staffing plans, and career development opportunities.
Own characterization, verification, and validation plans for photonic modules and electro-optical subassemblies, from initial hardware bring-up through qualification and manufacturing transfer.
Establish repeatable measurement methods, calibration practices, uncertainty analysis, experimental designs, data-review processes, and configuration-controlled test documentation.
Drive cross-functional debugging, failure analysis, and root-cause investigations; verify corrective actions and communicate residual risks and recommended next steps.
Review integrated optical, electrical, firmware, software, packaging, and thermal designs; identify critical measurements and influence design-for-testability and validation access.
Translate system and component requirements into measurable acceptance criteria, requirements-to-test traceability, test coverage, and validation reports.
Partner with operations teams to define test methods for production units.
Manage validation schedules, laboratory capacity, equipment needs, and cross-functional dependencies; provide execution summaries, validation reports, yield indications, and readiness assessments to stakeholders.
Promote safe laboratory practices and effective handling of lasers, optical equipment, RF instrumentation, and sensitive devices.