Sr Photonics Test Development Engineer

Jabil•Ottawa, ON

About The Position

At Jabil (NYSE: JBL), we are proud to be a trusted partner for the world's top brands, offering comprehensive engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions. With 60 years of experience across industries and a vast network of over 100 sites worldwide, Jabil combines global reach with local expertise to deliver both scalable and customized solutions. Our commitment extends beyond business success as we strive to build sustainable processes that minimize environmental impact and foster vibrant and diverse communities around the globe. JOB SUMMARY: Jabil is seeking an experienced Senior Photonics/Optical Test Development Engineer to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) within the global Photonics Test Development Engineering organization. This role is responsible for planning, designing, implementing, and governing advanced photonics test solutions that assure performance, reliability, maintainability, schedule adherence, and cost control across programs and sites. The role adopts as its goals profitability, effectiveness, adaptability, responsiveness, quality, and continuous improvement of photonics test solutions throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

Broad and extensive knowledge of photonics and optical test engineering processes.
Demonstrated ability to define and influence test engineering strategies and principles.
Demonstrated experience in the testing of photonics technology (devices, modules, line cards, shelves, systems, etc.).
Strong knowledge of English (both spoken and written). Able to converse on technical topics in English, and to prepare and present reports in English.
Good understanding of fundamental optical concepts such as optical power, optical power loss/gain, optical wavelength/spectrum, polarization, polarization dependent loss, optical signal-to-noise ratio, etc.
Good understanding of key test and measurement concepts utilized in assessing the performance of optical transmitters, receivers and transceivers, such as bit error rate, eye diagram characterization, jitter, etc.
Experience with standard test equipment used for test and characterization of optical products, such as bit error rate testers, optical power meters, optical amplifiers, optical spectrum analyzers, wavelength meters, etc.
Experience developing software/test scripts using object-oriented software languages: Python (preferred), C++, etc.
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and test engineering alignment to business objectives.
Experience with testing photonic products with coherent optical technology.
Strong analytical ability related to cost, yield, capacity, and test efficiency.
Proven record of leading technical change, standardization, and continuous improvement.
Strong communication skills.
Self-starter, highly motivated and with strong desire of accountability and ownership.
Ability to develop project schedules, budgets and track projects to completion.
Compliance with Employee Health and Safety policies (EHS), and Corporate IT Security policy
Willingness to travel world-wide up to 20% of the time.
Knowledge of Health & Safety standards and Quality Systems.
Experience with testing photonic products with coherent optical technology.
Experience with testing pluggable transceivers, such as SFP, QSFP, CFP2/CFP4, etc.
Proficient in standard Microsoft Office tools.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Typically 7–10+ years of progressive experience in photonics/optical test development.
Recognition as a technical authority or peer‑reviewed contributor, and/or participation in one or more industry organizations (e.g., IEEE, SPIE, Optica).

Responsibilities

Lead as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for photonics and photonics test development across programs and manufacturing sites.
Define, govern, and continuously improve photonics manufacturing test solutions and design‑verification test strategies, including leading‑edge coherent optical products.
Project leader for complex and large‑scale test initiatives, directing standard Test Engineering processes that increase efficiency and reduce test/debug time.
Develop test hardware solutions including selection of test equipment and design of test fixtures/test PCBAs.
Develop test software solutions including test automation scripts, operator GUI and data analysis using software languages such as Python, C#, MATLAB, etc.
Lead the deployment of test solutions and training to manufacturing staff in global manufacturing sites.
Critically evaluate large‑scale challenges in test procedures, test automation, test equipment, capacity, and test data to determine effective utilization of test processes.
Establish, standardize, and govern photonics test methodologies, platforms, and best practices aligned with global and regional direction.
Lead and critically evaluate cross‑functional projects, applying broad and in‑depth technical knowledge to optimize complex programs.
Establish and monitor test engineering KPIs, communicating performance metrics as required.
Support and advise Business Unit leadership, Program Management, and Site Management on test strategy, cost modeling, scalability, and risk.
Lead cost-effective test strategy, process and yield improvement activities for New Product Introduction (NPI) and volume manufacturing.
Develop new Test Engineering best practices supported by data and drive organizational adoption.
Coach, mentor, and technically guide other test engineers as required.
Support lower‑level Test Engineers responsibilities while maintaining SME ownership.
Ensure compliance with EHS, Quality Systems, IT Security, and corporate policies.