Principal Silicon Photonics Test Engineer

Coherent•Fremont, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lead the development of die-level silicon photonics test and characterization strategies, from early device characterization through product qualification and manufacturing readiness. Architect and develop automated electro-optical and RF test platforms for silicon photonic devices and photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Develop characterization methodologies for devices such as modulators, photodetectors, waveguides, couplers, resonators, and other passive and active photonic components. Develop RF and high-speed characterization techniques, including S-parameter measurements, frequency response, electro-optical bandwidth, impedance characterization, and high-speed signal integrity measurements. Develop test automation, data acquisition, and analysis software using Python and/or other appropriate programming environments. Improve test throughput, repeatability, automation, and cost while maintaining measurement accuracy and coverage. Analyze characterization datasets to identify performance distributions, process sensitivities, correlations, failure mechanisms, and opportunities for improved device performance and test efficiency. Define test structures and characterization requirements in collaboration with the silicon photonics and design team. Partner with process integration, wafer fabrication, packaging, reliability, product engineering, and manufacturing teams to correlate die-level measurements with downstream package and system performance. Drive design-for-test (DFT) improvements and influence future device and PIC designs based on characterization results and test limitations. Lead root-cause investigations for complex electrical, RF, optical, and electro-optical performance issues. Serve as a technical mentor and coach for junior and mid-career engineers, helping them develop strong fundamentals in silicon photonics, RF measurement, electro-optical characterization, and test engineering. Review test plans, measurement methodologies, automation code, data analysis, and technical conclusions produced by other engineers, providing constructive technical feedback and guidance. Delegate technically challenging projects in a way that develops engineering capability while maintaining appropriate technical oversight.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of hands-on laboratory experience in photonics, semiconductor, or optoelectronic device testing.
Experience with high-precision probe stations and electrical/RF probing of semiconductor devices.
Experience with optical alignment with lenses or fibers to semiconductor devices.
Strong understanding of silicon photonic devices, including modulators, photodetectors, passive optical structures, and optical coupling techniques.
Experience developing automated laboratory or production test systems using Python or comparable programming languages.
Strong hands-on experience with RF/microwave measurement techniques, including vector network analyzers, S-parameters, RF probing, calibration, and de-embedding.
Experience with data plotting and analysis software such as JMP, MATLAB, or python.
Strong expertise in RF and microwave test and measurement, including VNAs, S-parameters, RF probing, calibration, de-embedding, transmission lines, and signal integrity.
Strong working knowledge of optical test equipment, including tunable lasers, optical power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, polarization controllers, optical switches, and fiber alignment systems.
Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages for test automation, instrument control, data acquisition, analysis, and visualization.
Strong troubleshooting and root-cause-analysis skills across optical, electrical, RF, mechanical, software, and semiconductor-device domains.
Demonstrated ability to transfer specialized knowledge and develop documentation, procedures, training materials, and reference methodologies that enable others to work independently.
Ability to guide engineers through experimental design, measurement setup, debugging, data interpretation, and root-cause analysis rather than simply providing solutions.
Ability to teach complex RF, photonics, and measurement concepts through both technical explanation and hands-on laboratory coaching.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of die-level silicon photonics test and characterization strategies.
Architect and develop automated electro-optical and RF test platforms for silicon photonic devices and photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Develop characterization methodologies for devices such as modulators, photodetectors, waveguides, couplers, resonators, and other passive and active photonic components.
Develop RF and high-speed characterization techniques, including S-parameter measurements, frequency response, electro-optical bandwidth, impedance characterization, and high-speed signal integrity measurements.
Develop test automation, data acquisition, and analysis software using Python and/or other appropriate programming environments.
Improve test throughput, repeatability, automation, and cost while maintaining measurement accuracy and coverage.
Analyze characterization datasets to identify performance distributions, process sensitivities, correlations, failure mechanisms, and opportunities for improved device performance and test efficiency.
Define test structures and characterization requirements in collaboration with the silicon photonics and design team.
Partner with process integration, wafer fabrication, packaging, reliability, product engineering, and manufacturing teams to correlate die-level measurements with downstream package and system performance.
Drive design-for-test (DFT) improvements and influence future device and PIC designs based on characterization results and test limitations.
Lead root-cause investigations for complex electrical, RF, optical, and electro-optical performance issues.
Serve as a technical mentor and coach for junior and mid-career engineers.
Review test plans, measurement methodologies, automation code, data analysis, and technical conclusions produced by other engineers, providing constructive technical feedback and guidance.
Delegate technically challenging projects in a way that develops engineering capability while maintaining appropriate technical oversight.