Staff / Sr. Staff Photonics Test Engineer

Job Title

Staff / Sr. Staff Photonics Test Engineer

Role Summary

Design and implement wafer-, package- and system-level characterization and test strategies for Lightmatter's silicon photonics products. Work closely with architecture, design, validation, reliability, and manufacturing teams to provide test feedback that informs design and enables volume production.

Join an interdisciplinary team building silicon photonics for large-scale AI and HPC data center systems.

Experience Level

Senior — requires a minimum of 8+ years of experience in silicon photonics test development (leveling between Staff and Sr. Staff will be determined by education, experience, and interview performance).

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with architecture and design teams to define characterization goals and test techniques for model validation and feedback.
• Architect test concepts, platforms, and design-for-test rules during early technology phases.
• Write detailed test plans and ensure timely execution of characterization activities.
• Define, develop, and implement wafer, package, and system-level tests for silicon photonics products.
• Develop test software for execution, data analysis, and parameter extraction (automation and analysis).
• Specify and procure test equipment and coordinate with vendors.
• Setup and operate optical and high-speed equipment (tunable lasers, power meters, polarization control, OBR/OVA, AWG, DCA/DSO, PNA/LCA, etc.).
• Engage with OSAT and manufacturing teams to translate test techniques to high-volume production.
• Coordinate with reliability and validation teams for pre- and post-stress testing and system link bring-up.
• Track developments in silicon photonics testability and integrate improvements into test strategies.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• 8+ years of proven experience in silicon photonics test development and characterization.
• Industrial experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and volume production.
• Deep understanding of silicon photonics components, circuits, and system link bring-up.
• Hands-on experience characterizing photonics components and circuits.
• 3+ years of direct experience in high-speed photonic device test and familiarity with AWG, DCA, DSO, PNA, LCA.
• Experience developing test automation and analysis using Python.
• Ability to work with design teams to define test cells for model feedback and validation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work with vendors and cross-functional teams to deploy test equipment and procedures.
• Capacity to comply with U.S. export control laws and related requirements.

Nice-to-have:

• 2+ years of photonic component or circuit design experience.

Education Requirements

Required: Masters degree in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Preferred: PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. (The posting indicates leveling will consider education alongside years of experience and interview performance.)

About the Company

Company: Lightmatter

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Lightmatter develops photonic AI data-center infrastructure and optical chips for extreme-scale AI and HPC. The company invented the Passage 3D‑stacked photonics engine to provide high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnects across large-scale processors and raised $400M in Series D financing at a reported $4.4B valuation.