Principal Test Engineer

Location: Fremont, CA, United States; Hybrid

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the testing of new PICs, providing test summaries while maintaining data traceability.
• Lead the configuration, setup, and qualification of test systems for silicon photonic ICs, including optical and electrical characterization platforms.
• Perform hands-on debugging and root cause analysis for test anomalies, and data inconsistencies.
• Continuously evaluate and implement automation solutions to increase test efficiency and reduce operator intervention.
• Drive improvement projects aimed at enhancing test robustness, and repeatability.

 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of hands-on laboratory experience in photonics, semiconductor, or optoelectronic device testing.
• Deep familiarity with lab instrumentation such as Lasers, Power Meters, Optical Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers (VNA), and Probe Cards.
• Proven expertise in automated test development, including scripting (Python, LabVIEW, or similar) for optical and electrical measurements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and deliver on schedule.

 

Skills & Other Requirements

 

Working Conditions

• This position is hybrid
• May require occasional off-site meetings or travel
• Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary
• Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job
• May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive’s needs

Physical Requirements

• Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.
• Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
• Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

 

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.


Job Summary: We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Testing Engineer with extensive hands-on laboratory experience to lead the testing and performance characterization of our in-house developed silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The ideal candidate will take full ownership of the development, setup, and optimization of optical and electrical test platforms—leveraging both existing infrastructure and newly acquired instrumentation. This position will be involved in the R&D characterization of our PICs and support small volume production during NPI phases. A successful candidate will be able to independently characterize PICs using common laboratory equipment such as fibers, lasers, detectors, DC probes, and source-meter units and be able to effectively communicate key results and issues to stakeholders.