Photonics Characterisation Engineer
Salience LabsJob Title
Photonics Characterisation Engineer
Role Summary
Hands-on engineering role within the Photonics team to design and run experiments, operate optical test equipment, analyse measurement data, and deliver repeatable characterisation results for integrated photonic devices at die and wafer level.
The role supports photonic design, manufacturing and system testing by turning measurements into engineering conclusions. The position is UK-based and requires significant on-site laboratory presence (minimum four days per week).
Experience Level
Mid-level. No specific years of experience are stated; the role expects increasing ownership and independent work over time.
Responsibilities
Perform experimental characterisation and deliver analysed results and reports.
- Design and execute experiments for integrated photonic devices and structures.
- Operate optical and photonic laboratory equipment across multiple measurement setups.
- Perform die-level and wafer-level testing and validation of measurement quality.
- Analyse experimental data using Python and scientific libraries; develop automation for data collection and analysis.
- Translate requirements into practical, repeatable test methodologies and document test procedures.
- Troubleshoot measurement issues, investigate unexpected results, and improve laboratory processes and test methods.
- Produce clear technical reports and communicate results to stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams.
- Take ownership of characterisation tasks, provide realistic timelines, and build new test methods as needed.
Requirements
Core skills and practical experience required for day-to-day performance.
- Strong understanding of optics and photonics fundamentals.
- Hands-on experience designing and running experiments in an optics or photonics laboratory.
- Experience analysing real experimental data using Python and libraries such as NumPy, SciPy or pandas.
- Practical understanding of experimental uncertainty, noisy data and measurement quality.
- Strong fault-finding, troubleshooting skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Clear written and verbal communication; ability to present technical results to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Comfortable spending a significant proportion of time working physically in the laboratory.
Education Requirements
Preferred: MSc or PhD in Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. Relevant backgrounds include photonics/optics R&D, experimental physics, electrical engineering or semiconductor development.
About the Company
Company: Salience Labs
Headquarters: Oxford, United Kingdom
Salience Labs develops integrated photonics technologies and solutions, focusing on experimental characterisation, device development and engineering for advanced optical and photonic systems. They work across photonic design, manufacturing and system testing, supporting R&D and product development.
