R&D Engineer

Job Title

R&D Engineer

Role Summary

Design, test, and characterize optical transceivers and high‑speed communication modules with emphasis on electrical, RF, optical, thermal, and timing performance. Support new product introduction (NPI) from architecture through production readiness and collaborate with global cross‑functional teams to resolve design and manufacturing issues.

Experience Level

Entry-level. At least two years of relevant experience in electrical, RF, high‑speed, or optical transceiver design is required.

Responsibilities

Primary technical responsibilities and cross‑functional activities:

• Perform electrical, optical, thermal, and timing measurements of optical transceivers and high‑speed communication modules.
• Develop compliance and characterization reports; support NPI through design reviews, EVT/DVT, and production readiness.
• Design and revise printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs).
• Conduct RF simulations and analyze high‑speed communication links.
• Analyze and resolve electrical, RF, and optical transceiver issues via hands‑on testing and root‑cause analysis.
• Collaborate with program management, procurement, planning, manufacturing, and suppliers to support timely builds.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation including schematics, drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and engineering change orders (ECOs).
• Apply knowledge of data‑center and AI network architectures (scale‑up, scale‑out, scale‑across) to system and link design considerations.
• Follow engineering, quality, environmental, health, and safety processes.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience. Separate list of desirable skills follows.

• At least two years of hands‑on experience in electrical, RF, high‑speed, or optical transceiver design and testing.
• Solid understanding of circuit theory, linear systems, feedback systems, integrated circuits, and high‑speed RF fundamentals.
• Familiarity with Ethernet, InfiniBand, PCIe, or comparable high‑speed interconnect technologies.
• Strong hands‑on measurement skills and proven ability to perform root‑cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
• Experience with electronic design processes, product development cycles, ECAD tools, and system modeling tools.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross‑functional, international environment.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English.

Nice-to-have:

• RF design and electromagnetic modeling experience using tools such as CST or HFSS.
• Knowledge of embedded and AI computing architectures (microprocessors, GPUs, TPUs, HBM, NICs, DPUs, switching fabrics, firmware) and their interconnects.
• Background in designing or testing optical transceivers, optoelectronic modules, or high‑speed communication systems.
• Practical exposure to manufacturing, DFM, supplier engagement, or new product introduction.

Education Requirements

Required: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. Preferred: advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Photonics, RF Engineering, or a related discipline.

About the Company

Company: Lumentum

Headquarters: Milpitas, California, United States

Lumentum develops optical and photonic products and subsystems for telecommunications, data centers, cloud computing and industrial applications, providing lasers, modulators, transceivers and test solutions that enable high-speed networking and advanced photonics.