Associate Characterization and Test Engineer

Job Title

Associate Characterization and Test Engineer

Role Summary

Support evaluation, characterization, and validation of photonic devices, packages, and subsystems to enable product development and qualification. Work within cross-functional teams including product, packaging, reliability, and manufacturing to generate high-quality test data and support failure analysis and reliability investigations.

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 qualification tests across electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical domains.

• Execute electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical tests on photonic devices, packages, and assemblies.
• Develop and implement test plans for product development, process validation, reliability testing, and failure analysis.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment (optical measurement systems, LDV, thermal imaging, Instron, C-SAM, vibrometers, etc.).
• Collect, analyze, and interpret test data to identify trends and generate engineering insights.
• Support DOE planning and execution; analyze experimental results.
• Assist root-cause investigations and failure analysis activities.
• Develop automated test scripts and data-analysis tools (Python or similar).
• Generate technical reports and communicate results to cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to development of characterization methods, test fixtures, and lab capabilities; maintain lab documentation and calibration records.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, hands-on experience, and working attributes for the role.

• 0–3 years of practical experience in engineering characterization, testing, lab operations, or product development.
• Hands-on experience operating characterization equipment such as Infrared thermography, Laser Doppler Vibrometers (LDV), Instron mechanical testers, and C-Mode Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (C-SAM).
• Experience analyzing thermal, mechanical, vibration, and package-integrity data to support development, reliability, and failure analysis.
• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation and data-acquisition systems.
• Basic understanding of optics, photonics, electronics, semiconductor devices, or advanced packaging technologies.
• Experience with data-analysis tools and scripting (Python, MATLAB, JMP, or equivalent); ability to develop automated test scripts and analysis tools.
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis methods.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with photonic devices, optoelectronics, semiconductor packaging, or advanced manufacturing.
• Familiarity with optical alignment, imaging systems, or optical characterization techniques.
• Experience with automation, test development, and scripting; exposure to 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 as listed in the posting.

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.