Integrated Photonics Engineer
Great Sky · Boulder, CO
Develop optical test and characterization workflows for integrated photonic devices, including PICs, lasers and superconducting photon detectors. Build and automate test setups, characterize devices, and feed results back to design and integration teams.
What you'll do
- Own end-to-end optical test development for photonic integrated circuits
- Design, build and automate optical, electrical and optoelectronic test setups
- Characterize passive SiN components and active devices like lasers and SNSPDs
- Create data acquisition and processing methods and systems
- Document test methods and present findings in reports and design reviews
Requirements
- BS, MS or PhD in physics, electrical engineering, optics or related field, or equivalent practical experience
- Hands-on experience designing, assembling and automating optical test setups
- Experience characterizing photonic integrated circuits, including fiber coupling, grating couplers, waveguide loss and photodetector testing
- Knowledge of laser device physics and laser characterization experience
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced R&D environment
- Proficiency in Python for test automation, instrument control and data analysis
- Familiarity with design for test principles
Nice to have
- Experience with SNSPD or single-photon detector characterization
- Experience with automated photonic probe stations and wafer-level testing
- Experience with databases and structured test-data management systems
Benefits
- Meaningful equity ownership
- Employer-matched 401(k)
- Health, dental, vision and life insurance
- Flexible PTO
- Support for learning, conference attendance and skill development
Skills
Outlined skills are listed as required.
Full original description
About Us
Great Sky is a technology startup based with a mission to rebuild AI from first principles. We are pursuing neuroscience-inspired hardware and algorithms that overcome the greatest challenges in scaling AI systems.
We are seeking a highly motivated Integrated Photonics Engineer to develop the optical test and characterization workflows for integrated photonic devices central to our technology platform.
In this role, you will own the development of optical test infrastructure to allow rapid and automated testing of our photonic interconnects which consist of PICs, lasers and superconducting photon detectors. You will identify custom measurement solutions best fitting for unique needs, perform rigorous device characterization of sub-components, and provide feedback to design and integration teams to improve the device performance.
This is a hands-on, high-ownership role with substantial influence on the pace and direction of our hardware development.
How You’ll Make An Impact:
Own end-to-end optical test development for photonic integrated circuits - from setup development to test plan definition.
Design, build, and automate optical, electrical, and optoelectronic test setups and develop custom measurement solutions for chip- and package-level device characterization, including fiber-to-chip coupling and alignment automation.
Perform rigorous characterization of passive SiN photonic components: gratings, splitters, couplers, and mode converters — including insertion loss, coupling efficiency, splitting ratio, bandwidth, and polarization extinction ratio measurements.
Characterize active devices such as integrated lasers, amplifiers, and superconducting single photon detectors.
Document test methods and communicate findings through concise reports, presentations, and design reviews.
Create methods and systems for data acquisition and processing.
Collaborate closely with multiple technical teams to accelerate development cycles.
What You Bring:
Required:
BS, MS or PhD in physics, electrical engineering, optics, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
Hands-on experience designing, assembling, and automating optical test and characterization setups.
Experience with optical and electro-optical characterization of photonic integrated circuits, including fiber coupling, grating coupler measurements, waveguide loss measurements, and photodetector testing.
Knowledge of laser device physics and practical experience with laser characterization.
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced research and development environment.
Proficiency in Python for test automation, instrument control, and data analysis.
Familiarity with design for test principles
Preferred:
Experience with SNSPD or single-photon detector characterization.
Experience with automated photonic probe stations and wafer-level testing.
Experience with databases and structured test-data management systems.
Benefits and Perks
Meaningful equity ownership in an early-stage deep tech company
Employer-matched 401(k)
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Flexible PTO
Support for ongoing learning, conference attendance, and skill development
Our culture is onsite by default (we're founded by scientists who are used to working in the lab), with flexibility for hybrid arrangements. For the right person and role, we're open to filling roles remotely