Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer - Fiber Process Focus

Join our fast-paced and collaborative team as a Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer with a Focus on Optical Fiber Processes. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling critical fiber handling and integration processes that directly impact product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

You will work closely with device, optical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to translate photonic designs into robust, repeatable assemblies. This role is ideal for someone with strong practical experience in fiber preparation and integration who enjoys working at the intersection of R&D and manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead development and execution of fiber-centric processes, including:

• Precision fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation (SM, PM, specialty fibers)
• Fusion splicing (including low-loss and polarization-maintaining alignment)
• Fiber endcapping and handling for high-poser or sensitive applications
• Fiber cleaning, preparation, and contamination control practices
• Inspection and analysis of fiber end-faces and splice quality

Support photonic assembly and integration:

• Fiber-to-device coupling and alignment (active and passive)
• Integration of fibers into packages (TO, butterfly, micro-optic assemblies)
• Optics attach (lenses, isolators, fiber arrays)

Broader packaging and assembly responsibilities:

• Die attach (epoxy, eutectic, solder)
• Wire bonding (Au, Al; ball and wedge)
• Vacuum reflow soldering (AuSn, SAC, indium)

Process development & improvement:

• Design and execute DOE to improve optical performance, yield, and repeatability
• Create and document process flows, work instructions, and travelers
• Troubleshoot issues related to optical loss, fiber damage, and process variability
• Support transition of processes from development into pilot and early-stage production
• Support tooling, fixturing, and automation strategies for fiber handling

Collaboration and execution:

• Work with equipment vendors on fiber processing tool (splicers, cleavers, inspection systems)
• Partner with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure process stability and repeatability
• Support reliability testing and failure analysis efforts
• Train technicians and engineers on proper fiber handling and processing techniques

Requirements

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• Typically 5+ years of relevant experience in photonics or optoelectronic process development
• 3+ years with demonstrated hands-on expertise with fiber processes in a production or R&D environment
• Hands-on experience with fiber handling and processing in a lab or manufacturing environment

Core Skills:

• Fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation techniques across a range of fiber types
• Fusion splicing (including PM fiber alignment and loss optimization)
• Fiber endcapping and high-power handling considerations
• Fiber inspection methods (microscopy, interferometry, or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of contamination control and cleaning methods
• Experience with fiber alignment and optical coupling
• Familiarity with die attach, soldering, or wire bonding processes
• Strong understanding of process control, yield improvement, and manufacturability
• Ability to work effectively in lab and cleanroom environments
• Strong documentation and communication skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with high-power fiber or laser systems
• Familiarity with hermetic packaging (butterfly / TO-can / micro-optic packages)
• Experience with active alignment systems
• Exposure to reliability testing (thermal cycling, HTOL, damp heat)
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) or basic manufacturing metrics
• Experience supporting early-stage or low-volume production

Startup Mindset:

• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and execution-focused
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced evolving environment
• Proactive in identifying problems and driving solutions
• Willing to take ownership of processes and continuously improve them

Benefits

The expected annual salary range