As a Photonic Systems and High-Speed Modeling Engineer, you will roll up your sleeves for hands-on lab-based testing and analysis of photonic components, integrated circuits (PICs), and systems; and also lead projects with our ecosystem partners and customers to ensure compatibility and suitability of the platform for applications in communications, lidar, quantum computing, sensing, and more. This role is certain to stretch your background in optical, electrical, and high-speed system integration design, modeling, and testing in ways that are sure to contribute to career development.
What You Will DoPhotonic System and High-Speed Modeling: RF modeling of small and large-signal performance of OpenLight high-speed components at RF frequencies when integrated onto PCBs and substrates with drivers and TIAs. Optical system modeling of the effects of noise and nonlinearities on optical link performance. Correlation of models with data from evaluation boards and systems integrating OpenLight PICs. Photonic system performance characterization to generate & analyze data, summarize findings, and clearly communicate conclusions.
Internal and External Communication: Engage with team members and customers, including generating customer-facing documentation.
Education: Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or related field
Experience: Relevant experience in design, test, and debug of photonic and high-speed systems, particularly transceivers. Experience with and understanding of high-speed photonic driver/TIA interfaces.
Skills:
Strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset.
Proficiency with Keysight ADS, RF test / modeling, and understanding of small and large-signal modeling of high-speed communication systems.
Hands-on experience with optical and high-speed test equipment.
Strong Python (or similar) programming ability.
Ability to read a schematic, ability to debug, and general familiarity with printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Experience in design and test of photonic modules such as transceivers or Lidar modules
Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, partners, and customers.
Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment and adapt to evolving priorities.
Self-starting and independent but able to collaborate with teams inside and outside the company.
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-$230,000. 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.
Skills Required
- Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related field
- Relevant experience designing, testing, and debugging photonic and high-speed systems, particularly transceivers
- Understanding of high-speed photonic driver and TIA interfaces
- Proficiency with Keysight ADS and RF testing/modeling
- Understanding of small- and large-signal modeling for high-speed communication systems
- Hands-on experience with optical and high-speed test equipment
- Strong Python or similar programming ability
- Ability to read schematics, debug systems, and understand printed circuit boards
- Experience designing and testing photonic modules such as transceivers or Lidar modules
- Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced startup environment
What We Do
OpenLight develops and manufactures custom Photonic Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (PASIC) chips using a heterogeneous silicon-photonics platform that integrates active and passive optical elements, including lasers, modulators, amplifiers, and detectors, on a single chip. Its production-ready technology supports high-performance, energy-efficient connectivity and applications spanning datacom, telecom, LiDAR, healthcare, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and optical computing across next-generation communications and computing networks.









