Bring-Up Photonics Engineer

Job Title

Bring-Up Photonics Engineer

Role Summary

Lead development of validation and test firmware to bring up, characterize, and qualify new photonics hardware and control algorithms. Build embedded systems that operate lasers, modulators, and photodetectors in an integrated photonics platform and collaborate with production firmware for productization.

Experience Level

Mid-level - typically requires 3+ years of embedded firmware experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include developing and testing validation firmware, supporting hardware bring-up, and documenting results for handoff to product teams.

• Design and implement validation firmware for microcontroller-based platforms driving lasers, modulators, photodetectors, and control electronics.
• Port control algorithms prototyped in Python into embedded C/C++ and verify behavior on hardware.
• Interface with precision ADCs/DACs for laser current control, TEC, power monitoring, and photodiode feedback.
• Implement bootloaders, firmware update mechanisms, diagnostics, and telemetry for manufacturing and field support.
• Configure and communicate with peripherals over I²C, SPI, UART, and GPIO.
• Support board-level bring-up and debug of custom PCBs and evaluation boards using oscilloscopes, DMMs, and logic/protocol analyzers.
• Characterize behavior across operating corners, document failure modes and resolutions, and hand off validated test procedures.
• Maintain design documentation, interface control documents, and test procedures for productization.

Requirements

Must-have skills are listed first; nice-to-have follow.

• 3+ years developing embedded firmware in C/C++ for real-time systems (bare-metal and/or RTOS), including interrupt-driven design.
• Experience with microcontrollers and low-level peripheral interfaces: I²C, SPI, UART, GPIO, ADC/DAC.
• ADC/DAC interfacing: configuration, calibration, sampling strategies, and filtering.
• Microcontroller clocking and timing: clock trees/PLL, hardware timers/PWM, interrupt latency, and DMA-driven deterministic sampling.
• Ability to read schematics and datasheets and work with PCB-level hardware during bring-up.
• Version control (Git) and standard software engineering practices.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical skills, and effective communication/teamwork.

Nice-to-have:

• Closed-loop control theory and implementation (PID, system identification, stability analysis).
• Knowledge of photonics components and laser driver ICs; familiarity with TOSA/ROSA components.
• TEC control, thermal management, and precision analog control loops.
• Mixed-signal PCB design and bring-up experience.
• Experience with Embedded Linux or SoC FPGAs and basic HDL awareness.
• Python for test automation and data analysis; DSP fundamentals (filtering, sampling theory, noise analysis).
• Unit testing frameworks, static analysis, and CI/CD for embedded projects.

Education Requirements

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. (The role also expects multiple years of embedded firmware experience; see Requirements.)

About the Company

Company: Xscape Photonics

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States

Developer of integrated photonics solutions and instrumentation, specializing in photonic circuits, control systems, and test methodologies for optical communication and sensing applications. Works on device integration, control algorithms, and validation of photonic hardware and firmware.