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Fiber Characterization Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, researchers, and faculty during ... Perform measurements of photonic integrated circuits and be able to automate fiber alignment ...

Fiber Characterization Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$42.8K

$103.4K

$168.7K

How much do fiber characterization engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for fiber characterization engineer in Raleigh, NC is $103,416.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,900.00 and $128,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fiber Characterization Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fiber Characterization Engineer, you need a solid background in optical engineering or telecommunications, with expertise in fiber optic theory, testing, and analysis, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with OTDR, CD, PMD, and other fiber testing instruments, as well as certifications like FOA or CFCE, are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help engineers interpret complex data and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure accurate fiber network assessments, optimize performance, and minimize costly errors in deployment and maintenance.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Fiber Characterization Engineer?

As a Fiber Characterization Engineer, your daily responsibilities usually include performing on-site testing and analysis of optical fiber networks using specialized equipment such as OTDRs, CD/PMD testers, and optical spectrum analyzers. You’ll document and interpret test results to ensure network compliance with industry standards, troubleshoot issues, and provide technical recommendations for network optimization. Collaboration with project managers, network designers, and field technicians is common, as you’ll often be part of a team working to deliver high-quality fiber optic infrastructure for clients. Strong communication skills and attention to detail are essential for accurately conveying findings and ensuring efficient project delivery.

What does a Fiber Characterization Engineer do?

A Fiber Characterization Engineer is responsible for testing and analyzing optical fiber networks to ensure they meet performance standards and support high-speed data transmission. They use specialized equipment to measure parameters such as attenuation, dispersion, and optical return loss. Their work helps telecom companies identify and resolve issues that could affect network quality, ensuring reliable communication services. Fiber Characterization Engineers often collaborate with network designers, installers, and maintenance teams to optimize fiber optic infrastructure.

What is the difference between Fiber Characterization Engineer vs Optical Test Engineer?

AspectFiber Characterization EngineerOptical Test Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields; certifications in fiber optics are commonBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related fields; similar certifications often applicable
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departments focusing on fiber propertiesTesting labs, production lines, quality assurance departments for optical components
Industry UsagePrimarily in fiber optics manufacturing, telecommunications, and researchIn telecommunications, fiber optic component manufacturing, and quality control

The Fiber Characterization Engineer focuses on analyzing and testing fiber optic materials to understand their properties, while the Optical Test Engineer concentrates on testing optical devices and systems for performance and quality. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications but differ in their specific focus areas within the optical industry.

What are popular job titles related to Fiber Characterization Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Fiber Characterization Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fiber Characterization Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Fiber Characterization Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
Research Scholar

Research Scholar

NCSU

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


North Carolina State University rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

381st of 529 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Posting Information
Posting Number PG194089EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Research Scholar Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate based on education and experience Work Schedule 40 Hrs/week Job Location Raleigh, NC Department Electrical and Computer Engineering About the Department
North Carolina State University has a foundational legacy of disruptive innovation in wide-bandgap materials, optoelectronic devices, and large-scale photonic integrated circuits. We are establishing advanced research capabilities to build radically different photonic and optoelectronic systems operating in the ultra-violet to visible to near-IR spectral regime based on integrating wide-bandgap semiconductors (primarily III-Nitride materials) and III-V compound materials. These advances will enable radical advances in various fields, including sensors, imaging, visible-light/IR communications, computational accelerators, AI infrastructure, chip-scale atomic systems (including optical clocks), quantum photonics, and quantum communications.
The core photonics and optoelectronics effort at NCSU has over 100 cumulative years of leadership experience in advancing state-of-the-art solutions in III-nitride materials and devices, optoelectronics/photonics, and photonic integrated circuits. We have world-leading capabilities and research efforts in the areas of crystal growth, materials integration, device processing, and device/system design. We are now seeking to enhance and grow this effort in the areas of integrated photonic devices.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being.

What we offer:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Retirement Programs
  • Disability Plans
  • Life Insurance
  • Accident Plan
  • Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
  • 12 Holidays Each Year
  • Tuition and Academic Assistance
  • And so much more!
Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. 
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties
Photonic links are well-established for handling high data bandwidths and various signal types. However, their integration within microsystems remains limited due to planar optical routing constraints. The candidate will help lead advancements in unprecedented link efficiency and density performance. The focus will be on the use of novel fabrication techniques to create advanced photonic chips. The program will enable new microsystem architectures for future applications such as interconnect communications, AI infrastructure, optical phased arrays, quantum sensing, etc.
As a research scholar, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to develop key enabling integrated photonic technologies to make this a reality. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, researchers, and faculty during full development cycles from conceptual device design to running application demonstrations.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Fabrication of various chip-scale photonic devices (e.g., Stepper, contact, and E-beam lithography, wet etching, RIE, ICP-RIE, wafer-bonding, PECVD, metal sputter/evaporation, ALD, lapping/polishing, dicing, etc.).
  • Utilize SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, and image processing tools for nanofabrication characterization.
  • Documenting all technical work and reporting to team leads.
  • Perform measurements of photonic integrated circuits and be able to automate fiber alignment systems with custom scripts (e.g., Python).
  • Exhibit strong judgment and proactive decision-making to resolve key issues and ensure project and product deadlines are met.
  • Plan and conduct experiments efficiently, analyze metrology results, and generate reports to inform design and process decisions.
  • Mentor Ph.D., Master, and Undergraduate student researchers.
  • Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals and peer-reviewed academic conferences.

Join us to be part of a team that shapes the future of photonic interconnects! You Belong Here - NC State University offers a multitude of career prospects that align with the university's Employee Value Proposition. NC State University has prepared a Candidate Guide which contains valuable information on our childcare partnerships, tuition waiver program, relocation services, wellness and recreation memberships, employer subsidized health coverage, and much more.
Discover the possibilities at NC State University and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for your professional and personal growth.

Other Responsibilities
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
  • PhD in electrical engineering, photonics, physics, or any closely related engineering field.
Other Required Qualifications
  • Proven hands-on experience in micro/nanofabrication within an academic or industrial cleanroom setting.
  • Experience with photolithography, contact lithography, e-beam lithography, ICP-RIE, PECVD, ALD, SEM, AFM, wafer-bonding, RTA.
  • Mask layout (GDSFactory, Luceda, L-Edit, Synopsys OptoDesigner, etc.).
  • Strong organizational and planning abilities.
  • Detail-oriented, capable of following standard procedures, and able to work both independently and collaboratively with the current team and others.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Our group values effective collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with simulations of active/passive photonic devices such as waveguides, couplers, meta-lenses constructed of various materials. Be able to conduct performance/tolerance trade-offs for manufacturability and high-temperature environments to meet program goals. (e.g., Lumerical, Zemax).
  • Inverse or AI/ML-aided photonic design experience.
  • Experience re-iterating the design/fabrication/characterization life cycle.
  • Laboratory and measurement automation (e.g. Python)
  • Experience with statistical analysis for quality control (QC) and process optimization.
  • Expertise in process development and troubleshooting, proficiency with device layout software, computer programming skills, and data analysis capabilities.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions
Job Open Date 05/06/2025 Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for at least three professional references. 
Position Details
Position Number 00111443 Position Type EPS/SAAO Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00 Appointment 12 Month Recurring Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event Department ID 140401 - Electrical & Computer Engineering EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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About North Carolina State University

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North Carolina State University (NCSU), located in Raleigh, NC, US, is a leading educational institution with a strong emphasis on research, academics, and public service. Established in 1887, NCSU operates in the education industry and endeavors to foster student success, and promote economic development by providing high-quality, affordable education, and conducting groundbreaking research across a variety of disciplines. With more than 100 majors, its academic offerings range from undergraduates to postgraduates along with doctoral studies - in various fields like engineering, natural resources, humanities, and social sciences. NCSU is firmly anchored on the core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, and innovation. Its mission is to create economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1887