Staff Validation Engineer, Photonic Fabric

Job Title

Staff Validation Engineer, Photonic Fabric

Role Summary

Join Marvell's Photonics Fabric electrical IC validation team to develop and execute electro‑optical validation for high‑speed SerDes operating with photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The role focuses on automation, instrument control, bench validation, and correlation of component and link performance.

Experience Level

Senior level. The posting requests 3+ years of relevant industry experience.

Responsibilities

Primary accountabilities include building test automation, validating SerDes+PIC links, and maintaining shared validation infrastructure.

• Design and own Python automation for SerDes+PIC validation: instrument control (PyVISA/SCPI), test sequencing, calibration, and end‑to‑end measurement flows.
• Develop reusable libraries and frameworks for scopes, BERTs, VNAs, tunable lasers, optical power meters, and DCAs to scale across devices and channels.
• Perform bench‑level validation of SerDes Tx/Rx through PICs: eye quality, jitter, equalization (CTLE/DFE/FFE), CDR, Rx BER, and link margin.
• Characterize PIC devices in live links: OMA, extinction ratio, TDECQ, modulator bandwidth, photodetector responsivity, and Rx sensitivity.
• Build and operate integrated electro‑optical test setups (probe stations, DCAs, BERTs, tunable lasers, power meters); handle fiber alignment and fixtures.
• Correlate component‑level PIC measurements with full SerDes‑driven link performance and execute tests across PVT corners and channel coverage.
• Contribute to version‑controlled validation code, participate in code reviews, and document test flows.

Requirements

Must‑have technical skills and practical lab experience; preferred items listed separately.

• 3+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience writing test automation or measurement scripts that drive lab instruments (PyVISA/SCPI or equivalent).
• Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows (branches, pull requests).
• Exposure to SerDes measurement concepts: eye/jitter, BER, equalization, and link margin.
• Hands‑on experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, BERTs, VNAs, optical power meters, DCAs) via work, internships, or research.
• Coursework or project exposure to photonics, optoelectronics, or high‑speed digital / signal integrity topics.
• Clear written communication and ability to work on site in Santa Clara, CA.

Nice to have

• Hands‑on electro‑optical validation experience with PICs, silicon photonics, optical transceivers, or co‑packaged optics.
• Familiarity with TDECQ, OMA, extinction ratio, Rx sensitivity, or DCA‑based optical eye / BER measurements.

Education Requirements

M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field preferred; a strong B.S. in a related discipline will also be considered. Coursework or project experience in photonics/optoelectronics or high‑speed digital/SI is relevant.

About the Company

Company: Marvell Technology

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States

Marvell’s semiconductor solutions serve as essential building blocks of the data infrastructure connecting our world, driving innovation across enterprise, cloud, AI, and carrier architectures. The company focuses on creating transformative technology that shapes the future.