Laser Module Technical Lead

Job Title

Laser Module Technical Lead

Role Summary

Lead system architecture, integration, and technical execution of advanced laser modules for high-speed optical communication. Own end-to-end module performance across semiconductor lasers, PICs, optics, electronics, firmware, packaging, and thermal management from concept through production.

Work cross-functionally and with external suppliers to deliver reliable, manufacturable products at scale.

Experience Level

Senior / Principal level — Principal typically 12–15+ years of relevant experience with demonstrated technical leadership.

Responsibilities

Accountable for module-level requirements, integration, characterization, and transfer to volume manufacturing.

• Define module-level requirements, interface specifications, and performance budgets.
• Allocate optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical performance targets across subsystem owners.
• Lead integration of semiconductor lasers (DFB, DBR, ECL, tunable), SOAs, silicon photonic PICs, isolators, filters, fiber interfaces, driver electronics, firmware, and mechanical/thermal solutions.
• Define and execute characterization plans for optical power, wavelength, linewidth, SMSR, RIN, polarization, coupling efficiency, and thermal performance.
• Lead system-level debugging and root-cause analysis of optical, electrical, and thermal issues.
• Drive design tradeoffs balancing performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.
• Coordinate closely with laser, PIC, firmware, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing teams and external suppliers on specifications, qualification, and manufacturing readiness.
• Support product qualification, reliability testing, failure analysis, and transfer to volume manufacturing.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and domain experience.

• Deep understanding of semiconductor lasers and laser module integration.
• Practical experience integrating lasers with silicon photonic PICs.
• Strong knowledge of optical packaging, fiber coupling, alignment, and assembly processes.
• Experience with laser control electronics, TEC control, monitoring photodiodes, and related firmware.
• Familiarity with module-level optical communication metrics (power, linewidth, SMSR, RIN) and system performance requirements.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through product development.
• Experience collaborating with external suppliers on component specifications and qualification.
• Experience supporting product qualification, reliability testing, and manufacturing transfer.

Nice-to-have:

• External cavity and narrow-linewidth lasers.
• High-speed optical transmit engines and co-packaged optics experience.
• Experience with 400G/800G/1.6T optical modules.
• Passive and active optical alignment techniques and automated production test development.
• Reliability qualification and failure analysis experience.

Education Requirements

MS or PhD in Photonics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

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.