Silicon Photonics Test Engineer

Intel is hiring a Silicon Photonics Test Engineer in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $122k-$232k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Intel.

Level's read on this job

On Level's scale, this role is Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
Tools and skills the posting cites include Oscilloscopes, Awgs and Lcas.
Level classifies it as a senior role.
Level lists 842 other open roles at Intel.

AI in this role

Develop and execute comprehensive validation for Silicon Photonics products, test stations, and optical interconnect platforms.

OscilloscopesAwgsLcasVnasSmus

photonicssemiconductor-manufacturinghardware-testingoptical-engineeringautomation

Job Details:

Job Description:

The world is transforming - and so is Intel. Intel is a company of bold and curious inventors and problem solvers who create some of the most astounding technology advancements and experiences in the world. With a legacy of relentless innovation and a commitment to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth, our diverse and brilliant teams are continually searching for tomorrow's technology and revel in the challenge that changing the world for the better brings. We work every single day to design and manufacture silicon products that empower people's digital lives. Come join us and do something wonderful.

The team is seeking an experienced Silicon Photonics Test engineer for the development of Photonics Integrated Circuits (PIC), sub-system, reference module test stations to characterize and validate PIC, EIC and system performance. The candidate will be expected to collaborate with a cross functional product development team - HW, FW, PIC, EIC, Packaging and thermal, Optics and NPI.

Job Responsibilities:

Develop, own, and execute comprehensive validation for Silicon Photonics products, including Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), Electrical Integrated Circuits (EICs), Optical sub-systems, Reference modules and advanced optical interconnect platforms.
Develop software and automation to control: VNAs, LCAs, AWGs, Oscilloscopes, Bit-error-rate testers, SMUs, Optical instrumentation.
Perform detailed characterization of Silicon Photonics devices, including Modulators, Photodetectors, Integrated lasers, Optical engines with RF Driver, TIA and ADC/DACs.
Characterize and validate the performance of 100G/lane and 200G/lane PAM4 Transmitters and Receivers, FRO/LRO/LPO Modules, Near-Packaged Optics (NPO)
Collect and analyze Small-signal performance, Large-signal performance, BER performance, Eye diagrams.
Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration: Partner with teams spanning Silicon Photonics design, RFIC development, Packaging and thermal design, Firmware development, Manufacturing test, NPI and product engineering,
Support subsystem integration activities and drive technical problem-solving across multiple engineering disciplines.
Generate validation reports and clearly communicate findings and recommendations to development teams and leadership.

Qualifications:

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates. Experience listed below would be obtained through a combination of your degree, research and or relevant previous job and or internship experiences.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors & 4+ years of experience OR Masters & 3+ years of experience OR PhD & 0 years in Electrical Engineering or STEM related field.

3+ years of hands-on experience testing and validating Silicon Photonics devices, RFICs, or optical communication subsystems.

Experience working with:

Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), RF probes and probe stations, Evaluation-board-based optical subsystems, High-speed electrical and optical measurement equipment.
Experience testing optoelectronic devices, including Lasers, Modulators, Photodetectors, Optical interconnect technologies.
Experience developing automated test environments and data collection.
Strong programming skills for instrument control, automation, and data processing.
Experience using Python and data analytics tools for characterization and reporting.
Experience working with: VNA/LCA platforms, AWGs, DCAMs, High-speed oscilloscopes, Optical test equipment.
Experience performing RF probe calibration using calibration substrates and advanced measurement methodologies.

Preferred skills:

Experience with 100G/lane PAM4, 200G/lane PAM4 DSP, RF Driver/TIA, uControllers, DACs, ADCs, Power supplies, SMUs etc.
Python, C++ or equivalent software platform.
Laboratory optical and electrical measurement skills.
Use of AI tools for code generation, debug and deployment.
Expertise in physics of opto-electronics devices and RFICs that drive opto devices.
Require demonstrated programming skills to control and automate evaluation boards and test instruments.
Needs to be comfortable using such equipment to create test platforms.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Experience with optical transceiver test and calibration methodologies.
Understand electrical and optical requirements and specifications of optical transceiver MSA. Like 800G DR8/2xFR4, 1.6T DR8/2xFR4, 800G LPO, 1.6T LRO etc.

Job Type:

College Grad

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location:

US, California, Santa Clara

Additional Locations:

Posting Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust

N/A

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $122,440.00-232,190.00 USD

The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Work Model for this Role

This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

How we rate this

Silicon Photonics Test Engineer at Intel rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Silicon Photonics Test Engineer is an open job at Intel.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $122k-$232k a year.
The role is based in US, California, Santa Clara.
The job was posted on September 17, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by Intel. Apply on Intel

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

PhotonicsSemiconductor ManufacturingHardware TestingOptical EngineeringAutomationOscilloscopesAwgsLcas

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where photonics was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where semiconductor manufacturing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where hardware testing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where optical engineering was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where automation was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Photonics, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Hardware Testing, Optical Engineering, and Automation. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

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