Principal Engineer, Photonics System Engineering

Marvell Technology • Santa Clara, CA

1d • $150,680 - $225,700

About The Position

Marvell is seeking a Photonics System Engineer for its Platform Engineering team, supporting board, switch, and optics development for next-generation platform solutions. The role drives execution across complex, cross-functional programs in AI, wired and wireless communications, and critical infrastructure markets.

The position develops, optimizes, and validates optical system platforms integrating Marvell high-speed silicon photonics and DSP chipsets into board, switch, and rack-scale solutions. The engineer partners with analog, digital, system DSP, firmware, and other engineering teams to create platforms for optimization, evaluation, and validation of photonics and DSP chipsets. The role also provides photonics system expertise, design guidance, and lab-based validation, working with internal teams and customers to meet performance, quality, and schedule objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with 10–15 years of related professional experience; or a Master's degree and/or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with 5–10 years of experience.
• Deep knowledge of optical modules, components, systems, and devices, including lasers, detectors, modulators, and transceivers.
• Experience with optical system validation and testing, optical component characterization techniques, and optical test equipment.
• Knowledge of firmware control algorithms used in optical modules, DSP communication theory, and data networking physical-layer specifications.
• Working knowledge of laboratory equipment such as Optical Spectrum Analyzers and Optical Modulation Analyzers, and solid laboratory techniques.
• Programming skills in languages such as Python and C for test automation and data analysis.
• Familiarity with silicon photonics platforms, light engines, and co-packaged or on-board optics integration for board and switch platforms.
• Knowledge of optical component and photonics device characterization, including photonic integrated circuit (PIC) test methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills; urgency and accountability; and strong communication skills for cross-functional and customer-facing collaboration.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing automated test solutions for optical components or transceivers.

Responsibilities

• Determine and implement optimization and validation methodologies for optical system platforms spanning boards, switches, and optics.
• Partner with analog, digital, system DSP, and firmware teams to develop optical system platforms for optimization, evaluation, and validation of photonics and DSP chipsets.
• Debug optical, analog, and signal-processing problems arising during board-to-module and module-to-switch integration.
• Support integration of silicon photonics light engines and co-packaged or on-board optics into platform-level designs.
• Define and execute photonic IC and module-level test plans, including support for process qualification of new photonics technologies.
• Communicate with management, internal teams, and outsourced development partners about design status, project progress, and issue resolution.
• Perform hands-on optical characterization in the lab and validate performance against system specifications.
• Develop automated test solutions and scripts for optical component and module characterization.
• Provide technical guidance on optical system requirements and design tradeoffs across the platform stack.
• Identify photonics integration risks across the platform stack, develop mitigation strategies, and escalate issues as needed.

Benefits

• Bonus and equity plans, including a new-hire equity grant and annual equity refreshers.
• Employee stock purchase plan with a two-year look back.
• Family support programs.
• Mental health resources.
• Recognition and service awards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal