Principal Photonics Process Development Engineer - Fiber Process Focus

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Photonics Process Development Engineer with deep expertise in optical fiber processes. As we scale, you will play a critical role in building robust, production-ready fiber handling and integration capabilities from the ground up. This is a highly hand-on on role for a self-starter who thrives in a dynamic startup environment. You will work closely with device, optical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to turn fragile photonic designs into reliable, manufacturable products—with particular ownership over fiber-based processes and interfaces. You’ll have the opportunity to define best-in-class methods for fiber preparation, handling, and integration, while influencing tooling, automation, and overall process architecture.

Requirements

BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
Typically 8+ years of relevant experience in photonics or optoelectronic process development
5+ years with demonstrated hands-on expertise with fiber processes in a production or R&D environment
Fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation across a range of fiber types
Fusion splicing (including PM fiber alignment and loss optimization)
Fiber endcapping and high-power handling considerations
Fiber inspection and failure analysis techniques
Strong understanding of contamination control and cleaning methods
Experience with fiber alignment and coupling optimization
Die bonding and solder attach
Wire bonding (ball or wedge)
Familiarity with vacuum reflow processes
Strong understanding of process control, yield improvement, and manufacturability
Comfortable working in lab and cleanroom environments
Excellent documentation and process definition skills
This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Nice To Haves

Experience with high-power fiber systems or laser modules
Familiarity with hermetic packaging (butterfly / TO-can / micro-optic packages)
Experience with active alignment systems and automated assembly platforms
Reliability testing experience (thermal cycling, HTOL, damp heat)
Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and manufacturing metrics
Experience scaling fiber processes into low- or medium-volume production
Hands-on, detail-oriented, and execution-focused
Comfortable working in a fast-paced evolving environment
Proactive in identifying problems and driving solutions
Willing to take ownership of processes and continuously improve them

Responsibilities

Own and lead development of fiber-centric processes, including:
Precision fiber cleaving (single-mode, PM, specialty fibers)
Fusion splicing (including low-loss and polarization-maintaining alignment)
Fiber endcapping and thermal management strategies
Fiber cleaning, preparation, and contamination control
Inspection and analysis (end-face quality, geometry, defects, burn-back, etc.)
Develop and optimize photonic assembly processes:
Fiber-to-device coupling and active alignment
Integration of fibers into packages (TO, butterfly, micro-optic assemblies)
Optics attach (lenses, isolators, fiber arrays)
Broader packaging and assembly responsibilities:
Die attach (epoxy, eutectic, solder)
Wire bonding (Au, Al; ball and wedge)
Vacuum reflow soldering (AuSn, SAC, indium)
Process development & manufacturing scale-up:
Design and execute DOE to improve coupling efficiency, yield, and reliability
Transition processes from R&D to pilot and production environments
Develop process flows, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation
Perform root-cause analysis on optical loss, fiber damage, and reliability failures
Define tooling, fixturing, and automation strategies for fiber handling
Cross-functional collaboration & leadership:
Work with equipment vendors on fiber tooling (splicers, cleavers, inspection systems)
Support qualification, reliability testing, and failure analysis
Train technicians and engineers on fiber handling best practices