Staff / Sr Staff Laser Module & Systems Characterization Engineer (Photonics)

Location: Mountain View, California, United States; flexible hybrid workplace model.

Salary: $187,000–$260,000 USD per year, plus equity and additional rewards.

Company

hirify.global develops photonics-based AI data center infrastructure, including 3D-stacked photonics engines and optical interconnect systems for AI and HPC workloads.

What you will do

• Lead optical performance optimization and initial bring-up of Guide laser modules from unpowered to full operating conditions.
• Own characterization campaigns for Guide and Passage optical links, including end-to-end validation, channel optimization, margin verification, and root-cause analysis.
• Develop manufacturing and characterization test plans, measurement protocols, calibration sequences, and acceptance criteria.
• Write and maintain Python or MATLAB automation scripts for optical, electrical, and thermal testing, and build data pipelines for yield and process-trend analysis.
• Prepare characterization reports and communicate results and recommendations to controls, photonics, production, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support laser-safety interlock validation, controller characterization, NPI transitions, test-plan deployment, and manufacturing scale-up.

Requirements

• BS with 8+ years, MS with 6+ years, or PhD with 3+ years in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience characterizing laser modules such as DFB lasers and optical amplifiers in research or NPI environments.
• Experience with optical spectrum analyzers, optical power meters, lightwave component analyzers, high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, and signal generators.
• Experience designing or executing structured tests for optical or electro-optic assemblies, from test design through data delivery.
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for measurement automation and statistical data analysis.
• Strong written communication skills and familiarity with SPC, gauge R&R, or JMP for production yield analysis.

Nice to have

• Experience with DWDM optical link bring-up and validation, high-speed optical link characterization, or optical link budgets.
• Laser module NPI, EVT, manufacturing bring-up, and production hand-off experience.
• Knowledge of TEC and thermal control loops, laser safety interlocks, or photonics control calibration flows.
• Exposure to silicon photonics–III-V heterogeneous integration, bonded DFB sources, SOA, or hybrid photonic packages.
• Experience operating multi-channel photonic integration platforms.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible hybrid workplace model.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings matching, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• Vacation, sick leave, public holidays, and paid family leave.
• Training and development, commuter benefits, and equity grants for full-time employees.