Senior Photonics Test Systems Engineer in Santa Clara

We are looking for a hands-on photonics experimentalist and test systems engineer to design, build, and scale the systems used to measure, validate, and productionize our optical platform.

This is not a traditional "test execution" role.

You will own how optical systems are measured, from first prototypes through high-volume production. This includes defining measurement strategies, building custom test systems, developing automation and analysis frameworks, and closing the loop between design, fabrication, and system performance.

Key ResponsibilitiesBuild & Own Optical Test Systems

• Architect and develop custom electro-optical test platforms at wafer, die, and module levels
• Design and integrate instrumentation such as optical spectrum analyzers, tunable lasers, polarization control systems, and RF/electro-optical measurement setups
• Build scalable, production-ready test racks and infrastructure

Drive Measurement Strategy & Insight

• Define and validate key optical performance metrics (e.g., insertion loss, return loss, polarization-dependent loss, chromatic dispersion)
• Develop novel measurement techniques and calibration methods where needed
• Use DOE, statistical methods, and modeling to extract signal and guide design decisions

Bridge R&D to Manufacturing

• Own the transition from lab validation to high-volume production test
• Establish MSA, CpK, SPC, and yield monitoring frameworks
• Support transfer of test systems to contract manufacturers and production partners

Close the Loop with Design

• Collaborate with photonics, device, and systems engineers to identify performance limitations and failure modes
• Debug complex issues across optical, electrical, and mechanical domains
• Drive design improvements based on test data

Build Automation & Data Systems

• Develop scalable test automation frameworks using Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools
• Create data pipelines and analysis tools (e.g., JMP, MATLAB, Python)
• Enable rapid debugging, visualization, and data-driven decision-making

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

• 6+ years of experience in photonics test, optical systems, or experimental optics

• Hands-on experience building and debugging optical measurement systems (not just running tests)

• Familiarity with telecom, datacenter optics, or silicon photonics systems

• Experience with wafer-, die-, or module-level characterization

• Experience building test systems from scratch and scaling them into production

• Ability to bridge design, test, and manufacturing workflows

• Background working with transceivers, PICs, modulators, lasers, or optical switching systems

• Strong understanding of optical measurement physics

• Experience with DOE, SPC, GRR, and yield optimization

• Optical instrumentation: OSA, tunable lasers, OTDR/OFDR, VNA, BERT, polarization systems

• Automation: Python (), LabVIEW/TestStand

• Data analysis: JMP, MATLAB, or similar tools

Qualification

• Direct product experience testing specific components like DWDM filters, Mux/Demux, circulators, couplers, switches, etc.
• Comfortable working in a high-velocity, evolving environment with a willingness to travel to support manufacturing partners and field deployment as required
• Intimate knowledge of all of the following optical metrics and their measurement techniques: IL, RL, WDL, PDL, CD, DGD, GDR, and MPI

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionAbout Us: nEye.ai, a well-funded optical switch startup, is poised to revolutionize the future of data centers. nEye's MEMS-based silicon photonics optical circuit switches (OCS) eliminate critical bottlenecks in AI processing by enabling direct optical connections among thousands of GPUs and memory units. The company's SuperSwitch is an ultra-low power consumption, high radix, compact chip-scale design, offering hyperscale data centers enhanced performance, efficiency, and scalability. Job Overview, Expected Salary Range and Title: $130,000-$200,000 annually. Starting salary and title will depend on, and be commensurate with, relevant experience, skills, training, education, market demands, and the ultimate job duties and requirements. nEye.ai is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to , , , , , , , , , protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.