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Full Time Optical Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Astera Labs

Tech Lead Optical Test Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$185K - $240K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Tech Lead - Optical Test Engineer to contribute to the development and deployment of optical test solutions for silicon photonics devices and ...

nEye.ai

Senior Optical Test Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$140K - $230K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Optical Test Engineer to lead the measurement, characterization, and interpretation of our silicon photonics and optical switching platforms. This is an optical ...

nEye.ai

Senior Optical Test Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$140K - $230K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Optical Test Engineer to lead the measurement, characterization, and interpretation of our silicon photonics and optical switching platforms. This is an optical ...

Koch Industries

Optical System Test Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Your Job As an Optical System Test Engineer you'll lead systems engineering and lab management for our cutting-edge DWDM optical network. You'll work with external technical experts and collaborate ...

Nokia

Optical Test Development Engineer

Allentown, PA · On-site

As an Optical Test Development Engineer, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of optical technology. Your expertise will be instrumental in creating innovative testing methodologies and ...

Nokia

Optical Test Development Engineer

Allentown, PA · On-site

$88K - $163K/yr

As an Optical Test Development Engineer, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of optical technology. Your expertise will be instrumental in creating innovative testing methodologies and ...

Astera Labs

Senior Director of Optical Test

San Jose, CA · On-site

$260K - $295K/yr

Scale test infrastructure and methodologies from engineering samples to high-volume manufacturing ... MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optics, Physics, Semiconductor Engineering, or related field ...

IonQ

Senior Photonics Test Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Hands-on experience with room-temperature optical test setups Preferred Qualifications: * 5+ years ... Strong programming skills for data analysis and experimental automation software, and experience ...

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Full Time Optical Test Engineer information

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How much do full time optical test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time optical test engineer in the United States is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a full time optical test engineer do?

A Full Time Optical Test Engineer is responsible for designing, conducting, and analyzing tests on optical components and systems, such as lenses, lasers, and fiber optics. They ensure that products meet specific quality and performance standards by using specialized equipment and software to measure parameters like light transmission, wavelength, and optical alignment. Additionally, these engineers troubleshoot issues, document test results, and collaborate with other engineering teams to improve product designs. Their work is crucial in industries like telecommunications, manufacturing, and medical devices where precision optics are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time optical test engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Optical Test Engineer, you need a solid background in optical engineering, physics, or a related field, with experience in optical testing and analysis. Familiarity with optical test equipment (such as interferometers and spectrometers), data analysis software (like MATLAB or LabVIEW), and relevant industry standards is crucial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address complex testing issues. These competencies ensure accurate testing, reliable product performance, and successful project outcomes in high-precision optical environments.

What are some common challenges faced by full time optical test engineers, and how can they be addressed in the workplace?

Full Time Optical Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex optical systems, maintaining precise calibration of test equipment, and adapting to rapidly evolving technologies. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with industry advancements, participating in regular technical training, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams, including design and manufacturing engineers. Effective documentation and a methodical approach to problem-solving also help ensure accuracy and efficiency in testing processes.

What cities are hiring for Full Time Optical Test Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Full Time Optical Test Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Test Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Optical Test Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Full Time Optical Test Engineer jobs?

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Full Time Optical Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Optical Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.

Tech Lead Optical Test Engineer

San Jose, CA • On-site

Astera Labs
Semiconductor and Electronic Component Manufacturing • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Astera Labsexternal

$185K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs' Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company's COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company's custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.
Job Summary
We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Tech Lead - Optical Test Engineer to contribute to the development and deployment of optical test solutions for silicon photonics devices and optical modules. This role will support definition of test methodologies, drive key portions of test development, and lead technical efforts within a broader test organization.
The ideal candidate has solid experience in optical testing, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams to enable efficient characterization, validation, and production testing.
Key Responsibilities
  • Define and implement optical test architectures and test flows across optical wafer probe test, package level test & characterization and optical module validation.
  • Execute characterization and qualification testing of CPO components and assemblies.
  • Perform high-speed optical measurements including insertion loss, return loss, extinction ratio, eye diagram analysis, BER testing, and optical modulation amplitude (OMA).
  • Characterize optical performance parameters such as wavelength accuracy, channel spacing, spectral linearity, and crosstalk for WDM-based CPO architectures.
  • Design and build optical test stations incorporating fiber alignment systems, optical switches, tunable lasers, optical spectrum analyzers, high-speed oscilloscopes, and BER testers.
  • Develop test automation software, automated test scripts & frameworks using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar platforms.
  • Implement high-throughput test solutions suitable for wafer-scale and production-level testing.
  • Analyze large-scale optical test data to identify trends, failure modes, and yield-limiting factors.
  • Generate statistical reports (Cpk, GR&R, SPC) to monitor process stability and test repeatability.
  • Collaborate with design and process engineering teams to provide feedback for performance optimization.
  • Create and maintain test documentation, SOPs, and knowledge base articles.
  • Interface with external suppliers and foundries on silicon photonics wafer-level test requirements.
  • Participate in design reviews to ensure testability and provide DFT (Design for Test) recommendations.

Required Qualifications
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related discipline.
  • 5-7+ years of experience in optical testing, photonic device characterization, or optical transceiver development.
  • Strong understanding of silicon photonics devices (modulators, photodetectors, multiplexers, grating couplers, edge couplers).
  • Hands-on experience with optical test equipment: OSA, OMA, tunable lasers, polarization controllers, power meters, high-speed real-time oscilloscopes, BERT/pattern generators.
  • Proficiency in high-speed optical link testing (100G/lane and above, PAM4, NRZ).
  • Programming skills in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or C/C++ for test automation.
  • Knowledge of optical communication standards (IEEE 802.3, OIF-CEI, CMIS).
  • Familiarity with statistical analysis methods and data visualization tools.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience specifically with co-packaged optics or on-board optics architectures.
  • Experience with wafer-level optical probing and testing tool hardware & software as well as automated photonics test platforms.
  • Experience in transitioning test processes from lab/prototype to high-volume manufacturing (HVM).

Salary range is $185,000 to $240,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.
We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.

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