Lightmatter

Lightmatter

Senior Laser & SOA Characterization Engineer

Mountain View, CA · Senior · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$210k-$267kDetected 1 day ago
PythonMATLABData AnalysisStatisticsValuationThermal AnalysisElectrical EngineeringLabVIEWCommunication

About the role

  • We are hiring a senior engineer for our Photonics Characterization team at Lightmatter.

Responsibilities

  • Lead hands-on characterization of semiconductor lasers, tunable laser sources, DFB lasers, DBR/ECL lasers, laser diodes, and semiconductor optical amplifiers.
  • Develop advanced LIV, L-I-V-T, wavelength tuning, power stability, RIN, SMSR, linewidth, and long-term drift measurement methodologies.
  • Build, validate, and maintain automated optical and RF measurement setups using Python, PyVISA, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.
  • Use modeling and design-analysis software to support characterization planning and data interpretation, including tools for laser physics, optical gain, rate-equation analysis, thermal modeling, optical spectrum analysis, and system-level performance estimation.
  • Develop scripts and software workflows for instrument control, automated data collection, calibration, data processing, visualization, statistical analysis, and automated reporting.
  • Translate characterization results into actionable feedback for laser design, photonics integration, packaging, system architecture, and reliability teams.
  • Support device bring-up from early engineering samples through mature validation and production-readiness phases.
  • Prepare clear technical reports, design reviews, data summaries, and recommendations for cross-functional engineering teams.

Requirements

  • PhD or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optics, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor laser, SOA, photonics, or optical device characterization.
  • Strong understanding of semiconductor laser physics, optical gain, carrier dynamics, rate equations, thermal effects, feedback sensitivity, linewidth, RIN, and optical noise mechanisms.
  • Deep hands-on experience with optical and electro-optical lab measurements.
  • Strong understanding of semiconductor optical amplifiers, including gain, saturation behavior, ASE, noise, carrier dynamics, polarization dependence, wavelength dependence, and thermal effects.
  • Strong Python programming experience for instrument automation, data analysis, plotting, statistical analysis, and automated reporting.
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to debug open-ended device, setup, and measurement problems independently.
  • Strong familiarity with laser characterization metrics such as threshold current, slope efficiency, wall-plug efficiency, LIV curves, SMSR, RIN, linewidth, wavelength tuning, optical spectrum, power stability, and wavelength stability.
  • Experience operating optical and RF instruments, including laser current drivers, TEC controllers, OSAs, optical power meters, photodetectors, RF spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, bias tees, optical filters, polarization controllers, optical switches, and fiber-coupled components.
  • Experience using software tools for device design support, modeling, simulation, or data-driven analysis.
  • Ability to communicate complex technical results clearly and drive conclusions across design, characterization, packaging, and systems teams.

Nice to have

  • PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optics, or a related field.
  • Prior experience characterizing DFB lasers, DBR lasers, tunable lasers, ECLs, laser diodes, or SOAs for integrated photonics or optical communication systems.
  • Experience with advanced laser-noise measurements, including RIN, linewidth, phase noise, frequency noise, optical feedback sensitivity, and relaxation oscillation analysis.
  • Familiarity with laser and SOA modeling, including rate-equation modeling, gain modeling, thermal modeling, optical feedback analysis, and wavelength tuning behavior.
  • Experience with III-V semiconductor materials, heterogeneous integration, laser packaging, fiber coupling, optical isolators, and thermal control.
  • Experience with high-speed optical or RF measurements involving fast photodetectors, RF spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, LNAs, bias tees, and calibration/de-embedding.
  • Experience analyzing large characterization datasets and creating automated dashboards or reports.
  • Experience supporting reliability, qualification, or production-oriented validation of semiconductor lasers or optical amplifiers.

Compensation

  • total compensation goes beyond base salary, it also includes a new hire equity grant, annual performance-based equity, and other rewards that recognize your impact and contribution.
  • $210,000 - $267,000 USD

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Savings Matching Program
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Equity grants (applicable to full-time employees)
  • Lightmatter recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
  • Flexible, hybrid workplace model

Company info

  • We are hiring a senior engineer for our Photonics Characterization team at Lightmatter. Lightmatter is redefining computing by building photonic systems that use light to enable high-bandwidth, energy-efficient AI computing.

Visa & Work Authorization

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