Optical Engineer, Release to Production (RTP) — Test Software & Transceiver NPI

Job Title

Optical Engineer, Release to Production (RTP) — Test Software & Transceiver NPI

Role Summary

Drive optics validation and test-software infrastructure for optical transceivers within the Release to Production New Product Introduction (RTP-NPI) team. Combine deep optics and transceiver NPI experience with production-grade Python test software engineering to qualify modules, lead vendor/ODM NPI, and sustain deployed platforms.

Experience Level

Senior — 10+ years of relevant experience leading optical networking hardware development and taking products into volume production.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include designing test systems, executing NPI programs, and ensuring production readiness.

• Architect, build, and maintain Python-based test software and frameworks for automated qualification of optical transceivers and subsystems (EVT/DVT/PVT/characterization).
• Lead optics NPI programs end-to-end with vendors and ODMs from RFI/RFP through EVT/DVT/PVT to mass production ramp and sustaining.
• Find, debug, and remediate optical hardware failure modes; drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions with external partners.
• Stand up and own NPI test stations: integrate modules, switches, and instruments; enable reliable, lights-out test execution.
• Define test and measurement methodologies for high-speed optics and translate them into reusable automated tests.
• Develop instrument-control and automation for BERT, OSA, power/wavelength meters, scopes, and CMIS register-level module control.
• Build robust data capture, storage, and visualization pipelines so test and fleet results are queryable and actionable.
• Provide sustaining support after deployment to validate stability, security, and performance at scale.
• Set engineering standards for the test software stack (code review, CI, type checking, documentation) and mentor engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with software, thermal, mechanical, EE, signal integrity, FPGA, TPM, and production engineering teams.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience are listed first; preferred skills follow.

• 10+ years developing optical networking hardware with a track record of bringing products into volume production.
• Proven experience building production-quality Python test software and reusable test frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with high-speed optical and electrical test, test automation, and lab instrumentation.
• Experience leading optical transceiver NPI programs with vendors and/or ODMs.
• Experience designing instrument abstraction layers and integrating heterogeneous instruments (SCPI/VISA, PyVISA, vendor APIs).
• Ability to define test methodologies and implement reliable automated measurements.
• Experience building reliable data capture and analysis pipelines for test and fleet-health data.

Nice-to-have:

• Data engineering: schema design, database/warehouse persistence, dashboards, and statistical analysis (NumPy, pandas, SQL).
• Familiarity with C/C++, MATLAB, or Rust.
• Experience with advanced modulation formats (OOK, PAM-4, QPSK, 8-QAM, 16-QAM) and coherent/direct-detect systems.
• Deep knowledge of pluggable transceiver form factors (QSFP-DD, OSFP, QSFP112) and the CMIS interface.
• Experience with PICs (InP, silicon-photonic), PIC-IC integration, and optical packaging technologies.
• Experience transferring test infrastructure to contract manufacturers / ODM factory lines and driving NPI milestones (EVT/DVT/PVT/MTF).
• Willingness to work hands-on in lab and travel to vendor/ODM/manufacturing sites as needed.
• Experience with version control, large monorepo workflows, and collaborative development environments.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field OR equivalent practical experience. Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Science, or a related field.

About the Company

Company: Meta Platforms

Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States

American technology company that develops social networking products (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and invests in virtual/augmented reality hardware and software through Reality Labs, focusing on connectivity, advertising, and immersive computing experiences.