System Test Engineer

Job Title

System Test Engineer

Role Summary

Define, build and operate the system-level test capability for a photonic switching platform, focusing on opto-electronic measurement setups, automation and structured test execution. Work in the Oxford lab and collaborate with Photonics, Electronics, Firmware and Product teams to validate system performance for high-bandwidth, low-latency switching.

Primary goals are to ensure test readiness at project milestones, accelerate learning cycles through automation, and remove bottlenecks by improving processes and instrumentation.

Experience Level

Mid-level. The posting does not specify required years of experience.

Responsibilities

Accountable for planning, building and operating system test capability and delivering reliable, repeatable results that inform engineering decisions.

• Design and implement system-level test strategies, including test planning, setup definition, execution and reporting.
• Build, stabilise and maintain complex optical and electronic measurement setups with focus on repeatability and safety.
• Automate test sequences and data capture pipelines to reduce manual effort and speed analysis.
• Define and communicate test readiness, critical paths and parallelisable work to stakeholders.
• Create realistic plans, timelines and prioritisation frameworks that reflect engineering constraints.
• Identify and remove process bottlenecks; prepare test setups ahead of hardware arrivals to accelerate validation cycles.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure test outputs meet system-level performance requirements.
• Promote disciplined execution and help shape the test function, contributing to leadership and process design.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, tools and operational behaviours for the role.

• Proven hands-on experience working in lab environments with complex measurement systems.
• Experience building, debugging and optimising measurement systems and workflows.
• Strong automation experience with scripting for test automation and data analysis tooling.
• Fluency in Python (NumPy) and familiarity with VISA/SCPI protocols - essential.
• Experience with automated test frameworks and building reliable data capture pipelines.
• Ability to plan rigorously, track progress, think in parallel and flag risks early.
• Strong organisational capability; able to set expectations and maintain momentum across teams.
• Based in the UK or willing to relocate; consistent presence required in the Oxford lab.

Education Requirements

Preferred backgrounds or domains: photonics, optics, MEMS, mixed-signal electronics, semiconductor test, or high-speed transceiver validation. The posting does not list specific degree requirements or certifications.

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.