Photonics Applications Engineer

Job Title

Photonics Applications Engineer

Role Summary

Join TI's Optical Signal Chain and Controllers team to provide customer-facing application support, debug, and characterization for next-generation optical ICs, electrical ICs, silicon-photonics sub-assemblies, and optical engines used in high-speed data communications.

The role links product design to customer systems: define and execute test plans, build and validate high-speed (>50 GHz) bench setups, manage measurement data, and translate field feedback into product improvements. May supervise and mentor junior applications engineers.

Experience Level

Senior-level (title indicates senior). Minimum experience: 5+ years in datacenter transceiver and high-speed electrical/optical interfaces; 200 Gbps/lane experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Accountable for customer support, test infrastructure, characterization, and reporting across die, package, and board levels.

• Lead external customer interactions and design-in support for new products.
• Specify, assemble, validate, and operate custom high-speed (>50 GHz) electrical and electro-optical die-/package-level test setups.
• Select, procure, and bring up test equipment; work with vendors to troubleshoot measurement systems.
• Develop and execute device characterization strategies and comprehensive test plans for die, package, and board levels.
• Build and maintain structured measurement databases; analyze and visualize results for cross-functional reporting.
• Direct and coordinate daily testing efforts; mentor and supervise junior applications engineers and coordinate across global sites.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience are listed first; preferred/nice-to-have items follow.

• Must-have: 5+ years industry experience with datacenter transceiver and high-speed electrical and optical interfaces (>=50 Gbps/lane PAM4; 200 Gbps/lane strongly preferred).
• Must-have: Hands-on experience developing and bringing up die/package-level test stations, small- and large-signal testing, and high-throughput test automation.
• Must-have: Expertise with high-speed (>50 GHz) test equipment such as Lightwave Component Analyzers (LCA), digital communication analyzers (DCA), AWGs, and real-time oscilloscopes.
• Must-have: Experience developing robust bench automation scripts, repeatable measurement procedures, and data logging/databasing workflows.
• Must-have: Proven knowledge of optical fiber coupling schemes (normal-incidence, edge coupling, grating couplers), fiber alignment procedures, and high-speed electrical interfacing (direct RF probing, high-speed connectors).
• Must-have: Demonstrated leadership, strong written/verbal communication, and ability to present complex test results to cross-functional teams.
• Nice-to-have: Hands-on PCB and optical assembly experience for test environments.
• Nice-to-have: Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, JMP, and Spotfire.

Education Requirements

Master's Degree (job information lists "Degree Level: Master's Degree"). Field of study not specified in the posting.

About the Company

Company: Texas Instruments

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, USA

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, and sells analog and embedded processing chips for various markets including industrial, automotive, and personal electronics. The company's innovations aim to make electronics more affordable and reliable, fostering advancements in technology through each generation of semiconductors.