Photonics Test Development Engineer

Photonics Test Development EngineerBoulder, Colorado, United States (On-site)On-site | Boulder, CO$140K–$180K base + equityI’m working with a well-funded deep-tech startup developing a new integrated-photonics platform for advanced computing applications.They are hiring a Photonics Test Development Engineer to build and own the company’s optical and electro-optical characterization capability.This is not a generic optics or validation position. You’ll personally develop the fiber-coupled test stations, automation and data infrastructure needed to characterize photonic integrated circuits and improve subsequent device generations.You’ll work on problems such as:Building automated fiber-coupled PIC characterization stationsDeveloping repeatable fiber-to-chip alignment methodsAutomating positioning stages and laboratory instrumentsWriting Python software for control, acquisition and analysisCharacterizing passive and active integrated photonic devicesMeasuring loss, coupling efficiency, bandwidth and polarization responseImproving calibration, repeatability and test throughputDiagnosing optical, electrical and alignment-related problemsDeveloping test methods for new device operating environmentsFeeding characterization results back into design and fabrication.Looking for engineers who have:Personally built or substantially developed PIC test stationsHands-on fiber-to-chip coupling and optical-alignment experienceAutomated motion stages and laboratory instrumentsWritten Python code for test control, data acquisition and analysisCharacterized devices at die, wafer or packaged-device levelWorked across optical and electrical measurementsDiagnosed measurement stability and repeatability problemsTaken ownership of test infrastructure rather than only operating established equipment/This is an opportunity to build a critical engineering capability from the ground up and own the test feedback loop connecting photonic design, fabrication and system development.Worth a confidential chat?