Principal R&D Laser EPI Design Engineer
About The Position
The Principal R&D Laser EPI Design Engineer develops epitaxial growth designs and recipes for laser devices, coordinating with device designers to meet performance requirements such as output power, drive voltage, beam characteristics, wavelength, high-speed operation, and reliability. EPI design includes modeling layer thicknesses and compositions, doping profiles, active regions, and growth conditions to achieve target mode profiles, beam divergence, and electrical resistance, while aligning with wafer-processing and device-design technologies to support high yield. The engineer translates designs into growth recipes and works with internal EPI growers or external vendors to carry out growths. For each growth campaign, the engineer reviews calibration and EPI characterization data and provides feedback to growers or revises designs as needed. The role also supports process launches and NPI analysis, coordinates specialized EPI analysis, and generates intellectual property for novel device or EPI design ideas. The position requires a PhD in optoelectronics or another relevant major, together with industry experience. Lumentum describes flexible time off, health and wellness benefits, tuition reimbursement and career growth support, onsite amenities, subsidized meals, free coffee and tea, employee stock options and incentive plans, and a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture. The posted base salary range is $134,750–$192,500; final salary depends on factors including location, qualifications, work history, and relevant experience.
Requirements
- PhD in optoelectronics or another relevant major, with industry experience.
- Hands-on experience with MBE or MOCVD growth of III/V semiconductor material.
- Experience with semiconductor wafer analysis, such as photoluminescence (PL), reflectance spectrum, EPI defects and haze scans, X-ray diffraction (XRD), SIMS, and ECV profiling.
- Knowledge of semiconductor device physics, laser diode testing, and wafer process technology.
- Experience with software data analysis tools such as Excel, JMP, or Minitab, and data processing using Python or Matlab.
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams as both a team leader and a contributor.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Nice To Haves
- Preferred experience with GaAs-based VCSEL devices.
- Experience with VCSEL devices.
- Experience with device modeling and device simulation.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate with device designers to develop epitaxial growth recipes that meet device performance requirements, including output power, drive voltage, beam characteristics, wavelength, high-speed operation, and reliability.
- Model EPI design inputs—including layer thicknesses and compositions, doping profiles, active regions, and growth conditions—to achieve desired outputs such as mode profiles, beam divergence, and electrical resistance.
- Align EPI designs with wafer-processing and device-design technologies to support high yield.
- Translate designs into EPI growth recipes and coordinate execution with internal EPI growers or external vendors.
- Review calibration and EPI characterization data for each growth campaign, provide feedback to growers, and modify EPI designs as needed.
- Work with device designers and wafer process integration teams to launch process runs.
- Support the NPI team in analyzing wafer processing, device testing, and reliability data and use findings to improve EPI designs.
- Coordinate EPI-related analyses, including SIMS, TEM, and EDX, to understand performance and reliability.
- Generate intellectual property for novel device or EPI design ideas.
Benefits
- Flexible time off.
- Health and wellness benefits, including physical and mental wellness.
- Tuition reimbursement and career growth support.
- Free onsite gym, games room, and prayer room.
- Subsidized meals and free coffee and tea.
- Employee stock options and incentive plans.
- Competitive total compensation packages may include an annual bonus, commission for certain sales roles, equity, and health and welfare benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
