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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Director of Optical Test - **Company:** Astera Labs - **Location:** San Jose, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $260,000.0 - $295,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Adobe InDesign, Data Analysis, Automation of Tests, Code Coverage, Data Infrastructure, Software Reliability Testing, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Strategies of Testing, Visual Systems, Yield Optimization - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/senior-director-of-optical-test-astera-labs-8012127 ## About the Role The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in photonics and semiconductor test with proven leadership in scaling products from R&D to high-volume production while driving yield, quality, and cost optimization., * MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optics, Physics, Semiconductor Engineering, or related field * 15+ years of experience in semiconductor and/or photonics test engineering. 10+ years of experience leading complex test development programs and engineering organizations * Strong experience with silicon photonics production testing, optical module test, and high-speed optical systems. * Hands-on experience testing 100G / 200G / 400G PAM4 optical modules and optical engine sub-assemblies. * Demonstrated expertise in developing production-scale photonics test systems. Experience building and deploying high-volume ATE platforms. * Deep understanding of yield engineering, statistical process control (SPC), reliability qualification and design-for-test (DFT) principles. * Experience working with foundries, OSATs, and global manufacturing ecosystems. * Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Preferred Qualifications * Experience with silicon photonics or co-packaged optics (CPO) testing. * Expertise in test automation, data infrastructure, and analytics-driven yield optimization. * Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., Telcordia, IEC). ## Description We are seeking a visionary and execution-focused Senior Director of Optical Test to lead end-to-end optical test strategy, development, and high-volume manufacturing readiness across our photonics product portfolio. This role will define and drive a comprehensive test roadmap spanning silicon photonics, optical engines, and optical modules, ensuring best-in-class performance, scalability, and cost efficiency., * Define and execute a comprehensive end-to-end optical test roadmap, including Silicon photonics wafer probe testing, Photonics package test, Optical engine characterization, Optical module production test and Reliability testing. * Own and lead overall test strategy, balancing test coverage, tester throughput, test cost, capital expenditure planning and product quality. * Build, lead, and scale a high-performing global organization with full ownership of end-to-end test platforms. * Drive manufacturing readiness, including ownership of factory yield KPIs, production test bring up and volume ramp execution. * Architect and deploy high-volume automated test equipment (ATE) for optical and photonics products. * Develop and implement yield-learning frameworks to accelerate defect detection, root cause analysis, and yield improvement. * Lead initiatives to reduce cost of test through automation, architecture optimization, and test time reduction. * Scale test infrastructure and methodologies from engineering samples to high-volume manufacturing. * Partner across cross-functional organizations including photonics design, packaging, validation, operations and quality & reliability to plan and execute production testing. * Collaborate with foundries, OSATs, and global manufacturing operations to ensure robust test deployment and execution. * Drive continuous improvement in yield, test coverage, test time and production efficiency. * Provide technical leadership in design reviews, DfT strategy, and product qualification ## Related Videos - [Strange New Worlds: shaping the future of the digital age](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/677-strange-new-worlds-shaping-the-future-of-the-digital-age) - [Mutation Testing and Fuzzing in C#](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/703-mutation-testing-and-fuzzing-in-c) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Data Science on Software Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/162-data-science-on-software-data) - [The Billion Dollar Machine: First Time Right.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/393-the-billion-dollar-machine-first-time-right) - [Test-reduction - Doing more with less](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/977-test-reduction-doing-more-with-less) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Why Attend a Developer Event in 2026?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/688-why-attend-a-developer-event-in-2026) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)