Photonics Test Automation & Measurement Engineer

Posted 5 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Boston, MA, USA
In-Office
125K-175K Annually
Mid level
Hardware • Semiconductor • Quantum Computing • Manufacturing
The Role
Build, align, and maintain free-space and fiber-coupled optical setups to measure and characterize photonic integrated circuits. Develop Python-based automated test infrastructure, acquire data from lasers, OSAs, VNAs, scopes and SMUs, and apply statistical methods to validate designs and ensure repeatable wafer-scale measurements. Document procedures and feed measurement insights back to design and fabrication teams.
Summary Generated by Built In

Monarch Quantum in is looking for a Photonics Test Automation & Measurement Engineer to own the hands-on characterization of our photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in our Boston office. You will build and run free space and fiber-coupled optical setups, align and image modes, and develop the automated test infrastructure needed to measure device performance accurately and repeatably. Design and simulation experience is a plus, but the core of this role is measurement.

This role suits an engineer who enjoys working at the bench, building free space optical setups, aligning fiber and free space paths to PICs, and turning manual measurement procedures into robust, automated test systems.

Responsibilities
  • Measure and characterize photonic integrated circuits (PICs), including passive and active devices, on the bench and at wafer scale
  • Build, align, and maintain free space optical setups (lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, polarization optics) for coupling light into and out of PICs
  • Perform and optimize fiber-to-chip and free space-to-chip coupling, including active alignment and edge/grating coupler characterization
  • Image and analyze optical mode profiles using cameras and beam profilers to evaluate mode quality, mode field diameter, and coupling efficiency
  • Build and maintain automated test infrastructure for optical and electrical device characterization (swept lasers, power meters, OSA, VNA, real-time scopes, probe stations, source measurement units)
  • Develop Python-based test automation and data analysis pipelines, working within existing codebases and extending them with new capabilities
  • Apply statistical methods (design of experiments, Gage R&R, process control) to qualify test systems and ensure repeatable measurements
  • Analyze measurement data to validate designs, identify discrepancies, and feed learnings back to the design team
  • Document test procedures, setup configurations, and results for design, fabrication, and product teams
  • Contribute to photonic component design and simulation (e.g., with Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL, or gdsfactory)

Requirements

Please note: 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).  

  • MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related field (or equivalent industry experience)
  • Hands-on experience measuring and characterizing photonic devices or PICs, including free space and fiber-coupled setups
  • Practical experience building basic free space optical setups (alignment, mounting, beam steering) from opto-mechanical components
  • Experience with fiber coupling and free space coupling techniques, including active/passive alignment to chips
  • Experience with mode imaging and beam profiling equipment (cameras, beam profilers) and analyzing mode field data
  • Proficiency in Python for test automation and data analysis; comfort working in and extending existing codebases
  • Experience with photonic and electrical test equipment (swept lasers, fiber alignment stages, oscilloscopes, source measurement units)
  • Working knowledge of statistical data analysis and test qualification methods, including data analysis at wafer scale
  • Experience building or extending test setup automation
  • Familiarity with photonic design/simulation tools (Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL, gdsfactory) is a plus but not required
  • Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work across design, fabrication, and test teams

Benefits

The expected annual salary range for this position is $125,000-$175,000. 

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
  • 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
  • 13 paid company holidays
  • 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

#LI-JM1

Skills Required

  • Employment contingent on being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).
  • MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or related field (or equivalent industry experience).
  • Hands-on experience measuring and characterizing photonic devices or photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
  • Practical experience building basic free space optical setups (alignment, mounting, beam steering) from opto-mechanical components.
  • Experience with fiber-to-chip and free space-to-chip coupling, including active/passive alignment and coupler characterization.
  • Experience with mode imaging and beam profiling equipment (cameras, beam profilers) and analyzing mode field data.
  • Proficiency in Python for test automation and data analysis; comfort working in and extending existing codebases.
  • Experience with photonic and electrical test equipment (swept lasers, optical spectrum analyzers, VNAs, oscilloscopes, source measurement units, probe stations).
  • Working knowledge of statistical data analysis and test qualification methods (design of experiments, Gage R&R, process control), including wafer-scale data analysis.
  • Experience building or extending test setup automation and measurement pipelines.
  • Familiarity with photonic design/simulation tools (Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL, gdsfactory).
  • Strong organizational and communication skills to collaborate across design, fabrication, and test teams.
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: San Diego, CA
Year Founded: 2025

What We Do

Monarch Quantum is a U.S.-based quantum photonics company that designs and manufactures integrated photonics systems, known as Quantum Light Engines™, for quantum computing, sensing, and communications.

Similar Jobs

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Senior Lead, Enterprise Strategy and Operations (R5624)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office or Remote
4 Locations
160K-240K Annually

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Director, Enterprise Strategy and Operations (R5626)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office or Remote
4 Locations
190K-290K Annually

Liberty Mutual Insurance Logo Liberty Mutual Insurance

Senior Casualty Underwriter - General Liability & Excess E&S Wholesale

Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Insurance • Marketing Tech • Software • Analytics
Hybrid
7 Locations
40000 Employees
69K-233K Annually

Leader Bank Logo Leader Bank

Senior Full-stack Engineer

Fintech • Insurance • Payments • Social Impact • Financial Services
Hybrid
Arlington, MA, USA
420 Employees
85K-110K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Fortune Brands Innovations Thumbnail
Manufacturing
Deerfield, IL
10000 Employees
Fairly Even Thumbnail
Hardware • Robotics • Sales • Software • Hospitality
New York, NY
30 Employees
Amalgamated Sugar Thumbnail
Food • Greentech • Agriculture • Industrial • Manufacturing
Boise, Idaho
768 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account