Control and Test Engineer

Job Title

Control and Test Engineer

Role Summary

Develop, implement, and validate control algorithms and test procedures for integrated photonic circuits. Work involves modelling photonic subsystems, designing closed-loop control for lasers and modulators, and validating system performance across environmental conditions.

This role collaborates closely with photonic, hardware, and firmware engineers to deliver robust control and test solutions for production-ready photonic systems.

Experience Level

Mid-level. Preferred experience: Master’s in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years industry experience, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 2 years industry experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include control algorithm development, test plan creation, and system validation.

• Design and implement comprehensive test plans, scripts, methodologies, and protocols for control system validation.
• Develop control algorithms for initialization and stabilization of photonic components (lasers, ring modulators, MZI multiplexers/demultiplexers, ring-based filters).
• Implement multi-loop photonics system control across multiple components; collaborate with photonic, hardware and firmware engineers.
• Perform rigorous control system validation tests to assess signal quality and system performance under varied environmental stimuli.
• Analyze measurement data and produce statistical visualizations to extract insights and verify performance.
• Provide technical expertise in cross-functional product development and iterate on control/test approaches based on test results.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience.

• Proficiency in control theory and implementation, including PID control and signal processing techniques.
• Experience using optical test equipment such as optical spectrum analyzers, optical power meters, and interferometers.
• Ability to script and automate test procedures using Python or similar tools to control lab equipment and custom hardware.
• In-depth knowledge of photonic components and systems: lasers, optical amplifiers, modulators, optical filters, and photodetectors.
• Familiarity with optical simulation and modeling tools for system design and analysis.
• Strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

Nice-to-have:

• Hands-on experience with printed circuit boards and embedded firmware for instrument control.
• Experience integrating and automating test systems and instrument control in a lab environment.

Education Requirements

Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of industry experience, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 2 years of industry experience.

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.