Senior Photonics Test Engineer

Openlight
Openlight

Quality Assurance

San Francisco, CA, USA

USD 130k-190k / year + Equity

Posted on Aug 11, 2026

About the Team

Be part of a cutting-edge startup with a strong history of technology innovation. Work alongside a team of talented professionals in the field of silicon photonics – both new and industry veterans. Competitive salary and benefits package and opportunity for career growth and professional development. If you are highly motivated and technically proficient apply today to help shape the future of optical applications.

What You Will Do

As a member of OpenLight’s test engineering team, you will work closely with a team of experienced engineers in designing, implementing, and executing test solutions to validate the functionality of Silicon Photonics devices and Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC), mainly at the wafer level on automated wafer probers. The position is onsite at our Santa Clara CA office and our San Jose CA laboratory. Specifically:

  • Referencing your strong background in optical and electrical device testing, you will develop custom test hardware for wafer level testing on automated wafer probers using Python or similar coding languages
  • Review and recommend potential equipment suppliers, write project proposals for our key suppliers
  • Specify to our suppliers the designs of custom PCBAs and probe cards
  • Specifying test algorithms to be implemented in the test automation code, and reviewing the results
  • Proof of concept system design of alternative wafer test solutions
  • Calibration of optical and RF probe cards
  • Ordering and installing additional optical and RF test equipment, defining the test procedures, and verifying the test accuracy
  • Optimizing test throughput and accuracy
  • Reviewing test results for accuracy and debugging failures
  • Operate the test stations for prototype runs and hand off production testing to our OSAT partners
  • Test automation software in C++ or Java, test analysis software in python
  • Managing schedules for test execution, and communicating with internal and external customers on the test plans, results, and project status

Your Background Includes:

  • Advanced degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering
  • Test station hardware design experience
  • Hands on experience in a physics or electrical engineering lab or industry
  • Programming experience in python
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
  • Initiative and ability to work independently

About OpenLight

OpenLight Photonics is an innovative start-up at the forefront of photonic integration, commercializing our cutting-edge heterogeneously integrated silicon photonics platform. OpenLight has a PDK that supports customers designing Photonic ASICs (PASICs) for applications in communications, LIDAR, quantum computing, sensing, and more. OpenLight has over 300 patents covering the integration of many different active and passive components, such as tunable lasers, DFBs, SOAs, modulators, switches, filters, and detectors, onto a single, silicon photonics chip. Join us in an exciting start-up environment with ample opportunities for growth and professional development.

We continue with a hybrid schedule, with a standard of three days/week in office; you select the days you're in, based on what's best for your work priorities.

OpenLight's salary for technical roles is dependent on the skills and experience of the individual, their primary work location, and other parameters; annual salary will generally be somewhere between $130,000-$190,000. In addition to cash compensation, OpenLight offers incentive stock options (ISOs), generous insurance support, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, spot bonuses, and a positive work environment. If you are excited about solving challenging problems, advancing cutting-edge technology, and working with a highly collaborative team, we would love to hear from you.