Associate Characterization and Test Engineer

Job Title

Associate Characterization and Test Engineer

Role Summary

The Associate Characterization and Test Engineer will perform electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical testing to evaluate and validate photonic devices, packages, and subsystems. The role works within R&D and interfaces with product, packaging, reliability, and manufacturing teams to produce high-quality data that drives product development and qualification.

Experience Level

Entry-level — 0–3 years of relevant engineering experience in characterization, testing, laboratory operations, or product development.

Responsibilities

Execute and document characterization and test activities; analyze data and support failure analysis and qualification.

• Perform electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical tests on photonic devices, packages, and assemblies.
• Develop and execute test plans for product development, process validation, reliability testing, and failure analysis.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment including optical measurement systems, vibrometers, thermal imaging systems, and mechanical testers.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret test data; identify performance trends and provide engineering insights.
• Support Design of Experiments (DOE) planning, execution, and statistical analysis.
• Assist root-cause investigations and failure analysis activities.
• Develop automated test scripts and data-analysis tools (Python or similar).
• Prepare technical reports and communicate results to cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to development of test fixtures, characterization methods, and laboratory capabilities; maintain documentation and calibration records.

Requirements

Key qualifications and skills required for successful performance in this role.

• Must-have: 0–3 years experience in engineering characterization, testing, laboratory operations, or product development.
• Must-have: Hands-on experience with characterization equipment such as infrared thermography, Laser Doppler Vibrometers (LDV), Instron universal mechanical testers, or C-Mode scanning acoustic microscopy (C-SAM).
• Must-have: Experience analyzing thermal, mechanical, vibration, and package-integrity data; familiarity with laboratory instrumentation and data-acquisition systems.
• Must-have: Working knowledge of optics/photonic concepts, semiconductor devices, or advanced packaging technologies.
• Must-have: Proficiency with data-analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, JMP, or equivalent) and basic scripting/automation skills.
• Must-have: Knowledge of DOE and statistical analysis methods; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; clear written and verbal communication.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with photonic devices, optoelectronics, semiconductor packaging, optical alignment or imaging systems.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with test automation, reliability testing, or failure analysis methodologies.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline.

About the Company

Company: PsiQuantum

Headquarters: Palo Alto, CA, United States

PsiQuantum develops silicon-photonic quantum computers aimed at building million-qubit, fault-tolerant systems. Founded in 2016, the company combines semiconductor manufacturing processes, photonic hardware, and quantum software to scale quantum systems for commercial and government applications.