Photonics Lab Operator
$45 - $55/hr
Associate's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field (or ... identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic ...
Quick apply
$45 - $55/hr
Associate's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field (or ... identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic ...
Quick apply
$45 - $55/hr
Associate's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field (or ... identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Fresno, CA · On-site
$40.38 - $56.54/hr
... of basic physics, anatomy/physiology, biology, math, Basic Arrhythmia and Advanced Cardiac ... national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or ...
Torrance, CA · On-site
$120 - $170/hr
A physics PhD with genuine theoretical depth in a relevant subfield, such as quantum thermodynamics ... Prior work bridging academia and a company or national lab. What We Offer: * Chance to solve one of ...
Torrance, CA · On-site
$120 - $170/hr
A physics PhD with genuine theoretical depth in a relevant subfield, such as quantum thermodynamics ... Prior work bridging academia and a company or national lab. What We Offer: * Chance to solve one of ...
Berkeley, CA · On-site
$99K - $110K/yr
This position will help scale thermodynamic computing, a physics-based form of classical computing ... Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form ...
Berkeley, CA · On-site
$99K - $110K/yr
This position will help scale thermodynamic computing, a physics-based form of classical computing ... Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form ...
San Francisco, CA · On-site
$99 - $111/hr
This position will help scale thermodynamic computing, a physics-based form of classical computing ... Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form ...
San Francisco, CA · On-site
$99 - $111/hr
This position will help scale thermodynamic computing, a physics-based form of classical computing ... Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Torrance, CA · On-site
$150 - $210/hr
A physics PhD with genuine theoretical depth in a relevant subfield, such as quantum thermodynamics ... Prior work bridging academia and a company or national lab. What We Offer * Chance to solve one of ...
Torrance, CA · On-site
$150 - $210/hr
A physics PhD with genuine theoretical depth in a relevant subfield, such as quantum thermodynamics ... Prior work bridging academia and a company or national lab. What We Offer * Chance to solve one of ...
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$25 - $38/hr
... Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics. * Strong geometric, numerical, and statistical aptitude ... National Origin. For additional company information please visit our website at -cs.com/
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$25 - $38/hr
... Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics. * Strong geometric, numerical, and statistical aptitude ... National Origin. For additional company information please visit our website at -cs.com/
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$25 - $38/hr
... Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics. * Strong geometric, numerical, and statistical aptitude ... National Origin. For additional company information please visit our website at -cs.com/
Quick apply
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$25 - $38/hr
... Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics. * Strong geometric, numerical, and statistical aptitude ... National Origin. For additional company information please visit our website at -cs.com/
Livermore, CA · On-site
About Sandia Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for ... PhD in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field * Hands-on ...
Livermore, CA · On-site
About Sandia Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for ... PhD in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field * Hands-on ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Goleta, CA · On-site
$21.25 - $27/hr
... physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of ... Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin ...
Torrance, CA · On-site
A physics PhD with genuine theoretical depth in a relevant subfield, such as quantum thermodynamics ... Prior work bridging academia and a company or national lab. What We Offer: * Chance to solve one of ...
Torrance, CA · On-site
A physics PhD with genuine theoretical depth in a relevant subfield, such as quantum thermodynamics ... Prior work bridging academia and a company or national lab. What We Offer: * Chance to solve one of ...
Berkeley, CA · On-site
$93K - $224K/yr
The successful candidate will bridge the gap between fundamental laser physics and the realization ... National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside ...
Berkeley, CA · On-site
$93K - $224K/yr
The successful candidate will bridge the gap between fundamental laser physics and the realization ... National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside ...
Berkeley, CA · On-site
$5.7K - $6.9K/mo
AI/ML research in support of RNC Nuclear Physics priorities You will: * Contribute to one or more ... Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form ...
Berkeley, CA · On-site
$5.7K - $6.9K/mo
AI/ML research in support of RNC Nuclear Physics priorities You will: * Contribute to one or more ... Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form ...
| Aspect | National Physics Lab | Physicist |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Typically requires advanced degrees (Master's or PhD) in physics or related fields | Requires a degree in physics; advanced degrees often preferred for research roles |
| Work Environment | Research laboratories, government agencies, or academic institutions | Research labs, universities, government agencies, or private industry |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Government research institutions, national labs, scientific agencies | Academic institutions, research organizations, private sector companies |
The National Physics Lab is a specific research institution focused on applied physics research and development, often employing physicists. A physicist is a professional working in various settings, including labs, academia, or industry, conducting research or applied work in physics. While the lab employs physicists, the roles differ in scope: the lab is an organization, whereas a physicist is a professional working within or outside such institutions.
The most popular types of Physics Lab jobs in California are:
For National Physics Lab jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
The top searched job categories for National Physics Lab jobs in California are:
Cities in California with the most National Physics Lab job openings:

$45 - $55/hr
Full-time
Re-posted 24 days ago
Operate and support wafer-level test setups for silicon photonics and MEMS-based devices
Monitor test outputs and identify anomalies, drift, or unexpected behavior in data
Troubleshoot test setups and support root cause analysis of failures
nEye.ai, a well-funded optical switch startup, is poised to revolutionize the future of data centers. nEye’s MEMS-based silicon photonics optical circuit switches (OCS) eliminate critical bottlenecks in AI processing by enabling direct optical connections among thousands of GPUs and memory units. The company's OCS is an ultra-low power consumption, high radix, compact chip-scale design, offering hyperscale data centers enhanced performance, efficiency, and scalability.
Job OverviewWe are looking for a highly skilled lab operator with experience in precision optical, photonics, or MEMS environments: someone who can execute wafer-level testing with rigor while also applying judgment to the data they observe.
You will be responsible for running wafer-level tests and operating advanced metrology systems, but just as importantly, you will serve as a first line of defense for data quality, for example identifying anomalies, spotting inconsistencies, and flagging issues to engineering.
This role is ideal for someone who has spent years working hands-on with high-end optical systems or metrology tools, understands the scale and precision involved, and knows when something “doesn’t look right.”
Operate and support wafer-level test setups for silicon photonics and MEMS-based devices
Load wafers, execute test sequences, and ensure consistent, high-quality test execution
Work with high-precision optical and metrology equipment to collect measurement data
Perform optical alignment and fiber-based test setups as needed
Monitor test outputs and identify anomalies, drift, or unexpected behavior in data
Proactively flag irregularities to engineers, providing clear observations and context
Troubleshoot test setups and support root cause analysis of failures
Maintain and calibrate lab equipment to ensure accuracy and repeatability
Accurately document test procedures, results, and observations
Support engineers in debugging, validation, and test optimization efforts
Contribute to improving lab workflows, test processes, and overall data quality
Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
Equivalent hands-on industry experience is highly valued; a formal degree is not required for this role
Strong hands-on experience with single mode fiber optics
Experience working in precision optical, photonics, or MEMS environments
Experience operating high-end metrology or measurement equipment
Background in wafer-level testing, semiconductor environments, or advanced hardware labs
Proven ability to execute structured test procedures with consistency and accuracy
Experience identifying test anomalies, system issues, or data inconsistencies
Familiarity with lab instrumentation (e.g., optical setups, oscilloscopes, power meters, etc.)
Comfortable working in cleanroom or controlled lab environments
Strong attention to detail and ability to follow complex procedures
Experience with silicon photonics or optical device testing
Experience working with laser systems, optical alignment, or fiber coupling
Familiarity with wafer probing, optical characterization, or MEMS devices
Experience supporting R&D or early-stage product development environments
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.