Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer - Fiber Process Focus

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

8d•$125,000 - $175,000

About The Position

Join our fast-paced and collaborative team as a Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer with a Focus on Optical Fiber Processes. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling critical fiber handling and integration processes that directly impact product performance, reliability, and manufacturability. You will work closely with device, optical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to translate photonic designs into robust, repeatable assemblies. This role is ideal for someone with strong practical experience in fiber preparation and integration who enjoys working at the intersection of R&D and manufacturing.

Requirements

BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
Typically 5+ years of relevant experience in photonics or optoelectronic process development
3+ years with demonstrated hands-on expertise with fiber processes in a production or R&D environment
Hands-on experience with fiber handling and processing in a lab or manufacturing environment
Fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation techniques across a range of fiber types
Fusion splicing (including PM fiber alignment and loss optimization)
Fiber endcapping and high-power handling considerations
Fiber inspection methods (microscopy, interferometry, or equivalent)
Strong understanding of contamination control and cleaning methods
Experience with fiber alignment and optical coupling
Familiarity with die attach, soldering, or wire bonding processes
Strong understanding of process control, yield improvement, and manufacturability
Ability to work effectively in lab and cleanroom environments
Strong documentation and communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with high-power fiber or laser systems
Familiarity with hermetic packaging (butterfly / TO-can / micro-optic packages)
Experience with active alignment systems
Exposure to reliability testing (thermal cycling, HTOL, damp heat)
Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) or basic manufacturing metrics
Experience supporting early-stage or low-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

Lead development and execution of fiber-centric processes, including:
Precision fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation (SM, PM, specialty fibers)
Fusion splicing (including low-loss and polarization-maintaining alignment)
Fiber endcapping and handling for high-poser or sensitive applications
Fiber cleaning, preparation, and contamination control practices
Inspection and analysis of fiber end-faces and splice quality
Support photonic assembly and integration:
Fiber-to-device coupling and alignment (active and passive)
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 & improvement:
Design and execute DOE to improve optical performance, yield, and repeatability
Create and document process flows, work instructions, and travelers
Troubleshoot issues related to optical loss, fiber damage, and process variability
Support transition of processes from development into pilot and early-stage production
Support tooling, fixturing, and automation strategies for fiber handling
Collaboration and execution:
Work with equipment vendors on fiber processing tool (splicers, cleavers, inspection systems)
Partner with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure process stability and repeatability
Support reliability testing and failure analysis efforts
Train technicians and engineers on proper fiber handling and processing techniques