Manager, Photonics Hardware Validation Engineering
Quantum computing company building silicon-photonics-based systems, Bay Area
| Employer | Quantum computing company building silicon-photonics-based systems, Bay Area (not named) |
|---|---|
| Location | Milpitas, CA (Bay Area) · On-site |
| Type & level | Full-time · Manager |
| Pay | Not stated in the posting · BLS median for electrical and electronics engineers: USD 125,040 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025 national median); the source posting states no pay |
| Visa path | O-1A fit (senior candidates) |
| Role family | Silicon Photonics Engineer |
About the role
This manager leads a team that characterizes and validates electro-optical subassemblies built around custom photonic integrated circuits. The main focus is single-photon sources and detectors and their RF readout chain. The role covers validation from early hardware bring-up through qualification and manufacturing readiness.
What you'll do
- Hire, lead and develop a photonics hardware validation team and set its priorities and staffing plans.
- Own characterization, verification and validation plans for photonic modules and electro-optical subassemblies, from bring-up to manufacturing transfer.
- Establish repeatable measurement methods, calibration practices, uncertainty analysis and configuration-controlled test documentation.
- Drive cross-functional debugging, failure analysis and root-cause work, and report residual risks.
- Turn system requirements into measurable acceptance criteria with traceability from requirement to test.
- Define production test methods with operations, manage lab capacity and schedules, and promote safe handling of lasers and RF equipment.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, optics, photonics or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 8+ years in optical and electro-optical hardware characterization, validation and test, including 2+ years of people management or technical team leadership.
- Strong grounding in silicon photonics and electro-optical characterization, including insertion loss and return loss measurements.
- Hands-on skill with optical and RF lab instruments and RF readout electronics such as LNAs, bias tees and baluns.
- Data analysis in Python, MATLAB or similar, with reproducible and traceable results.
- Record of leading cross-functional validation and failure analysis, and of mentoring engineers.
Nice to have
- Master's degree or PhD in a relevant technical field.
- Experience with single-photon detection and low-noise RF readout of low-level signals.
- Experience with wafer-level or packaged-device characterization and design for test.
- Experience with reliability qualification, statistics, design of experiments and yield improvement.
- Experience testing in cryogenic environments or validating photonics hardware for quantum computing.
Pay & benefits
Not stated in the posting · BLS median for electrical and electronics engineers: USD 125,040. The posting lists health coverage for employees and dependents, a 401(k) with company match, equity grants and financial wellness resources. The visible text does not give a salary figure.
Pay source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025 national median); the source posting states no pay. Market data, not an offer from O1DMatch.
Visa path
Photonics validation leaders often use evidence such as publications, patents, documented technical leadership and a critical role in a high-stakes hardware program for an O-1A case. The posting states no citizenship restriction. An employer like this, or a U.S. agent, can file the petition if the candidate's record supports it. Approval depends on the individual evidence.
How to get matched
- Take the free eligibility checkAn AI review of your background against the eight O-1 criteria, at check.o1dmatch.com.
- Create your profile with code WORKWITHUSIt unlocks the Starter plan at no cost. Tell us your field and the work you do today.
- Upload your evidenceEach document is sorted under the criterion it supports, and your criteria map shows what is still missing.
- Get matchedWe match strong profiles with U.S. employers hiring for roles like this one. Gigs you confirm with verified companies count toward your itinerary, and at a score of 75 we connect you with an immigration attorney.
This listing describes a real U.S. posting so you can see what employers ask for. O1DMatch does not represent that employer and does not hold this opening; applying matches you with employers hiring for this kind of role. No visa outcome is promised.