Staff RF Engineer
LumentumJob Title
Staff RF Engineer
Role Summary
Senior RF engineer responsible for RF design, modeling, simulation, and testing of high-speed optical-electronic modules (800G/1.6T and above) and their evaluation boards (EVB/MB/FPC).
The role leads PCB/connector/material selection and stack-up definition, creates RF simulation and test reports, troubleshoots RF issues across product development stages, and coordinates technical activities across sites and vendors.
Experience Level
Senior - typically requires 5+ years' experience in high-speed optical-electronics or RF system design; the title 'Staff' indicates a senior/lead technical role.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include RF design, simulation, testing, and cross-functional technical coordination.
- Plan RF routing for module-level MB/EVB for 800G/1.6T+ modules: PCB material selection, stack-up definition, pre-simulation, and produce PCB RF design reports for layout engineers.
- Design component-level EVB for 128Gbaud+: connector selection, PCB material/stack-up, pre-simulation, and documentation for layout.
- Perform 3D EM modeling, RF optimization of interfaces, passive and full-channel simulation using chip electrical models; deliver RF simulation reports and post-simulation confirmation.
- Compare RF channel performance across chips or electrical-model parameter sets via channel simulation.
- Execute RF testing to validate EVB/MB/FPC performance and locate RF-related issues during product testing and RMA investigations.
- Provide RF technical support and coordinate with PCB/FPC/packaging/connector/chip vendors and cross-site teams; participate in project plan evaluations and reviews.
- Learn and apply new RF technologies to support products with smaller signal pitches and higher bandwidth; meet tight project schedules when required.
Requirements
Key technical and interpersonal requirements. Must-have items are listed first; preferred items are noted.
- Must-have: 5+ years in high-speed optical-electronics or RF engineering with hands-on RF simulation and test experience.
- Must-have: Proficiency with at least one 3D EM solver (HFSS, CST, EMpro, etc.) and ability to perform independent 3D EM modeling and RF optimization.
- Must-have: Proficiency with at least one channel simulation tool (ADS, Cadence, etc.) to connect models and produce channel simulation results.
- Must-have: Strong knowledge of PCB materials (Dk/Df), PCB manufacturing process parameters, impedance calculation, stack-up and RF trace geometry specification.
- Must-have: Experience with lab instruments and measurements (TDR, PNA, RF probes), calibration methods, S-parameter/TDR data analysis, and independent RF test execution.
- Must-have: Ability to troubleshoot RF issues across development stages, produce technical reports, and communicate effectively across disciplines and sites; fluent English (listening, speaking, reading, writing).
- Nice-to-have: Direct experience with 800G/1.6T module MB simulation and optimization, and prior RF problem analysis for RMA cases.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree (or higher) in electronic information engineering, communication engineering, microwave engineering/technology, or a closely related technical field.
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.
