Photonics Test Development Engineer
Great Sky · Boulder, CO
Develops optical test and characterization workflows for integrated photonic devices, including PICs, lasers, and superconducting photon detectors. Builds and automates test setups, characterizes devices, and feeds results back to design and integration teams.
What you'll do
- Own end-to-end optical test development for cryogenic photonic networks
- Design, build, and automate optical and optoelectronic test setups
- Characterize passive SiN photonic components and active devices
- Document test methods and report findings in design reviews
- Create data acquisition and processing methods and systems
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 with optical and electro-optical characterization of photonic devices
- 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
Nice to have
- Experience with SNSPD or single-photon detector characterization
- Experience with cryostats and cryogenic measurements
- 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.
Job Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated Photonics Test Development Engineer to develop the optical test and characterization workflows for the integrated photonic devices that are 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 suited for unique needs, perform rigorous device characterization of sub-components, and provide feedback to design and integration teams to improve device performance. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role with substantial influence on the pace and direction of our hardware development.
Key Responsibilities
Own end-to-end optical test development for cryogenic photonic networks - 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.
Qualifications & Skills
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 devices, 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.
Preferred:
Experience with SNSPD or single-photon detector characterization.
Experience with cryostats and cryogenic optical or electrical measurements.
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