Senior Principal Validation Engineer, VCSEL Optical Interconnect Test Platforms

Lead hardware and silicon validation for VCSEL-based optical interconnects across global labs. You will shape the validation roadmap, design and build test benches, and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to bring silicon from first silicon to product tape-out. You’ll advance measurement methodologies, automate data flows, and collaborate with optics vendors to ensure robust performance. This role offers impact across cutting-edge interconnects in a global, fast-paced environment.

• bonus and equity plans
• new hire equity grant
• annual equity refreshers
• great benefits
• inclusive environment

• Set program direction for validation, bench, and test-platform strategy across global labs
• Design and develop electrical and optical test platforms for VCSEL interconnects, including bench architecture and instrument qualification
• Create hardware (PCBs, boards, fixtures) with clear specs and support fabrication and bring-up
• Develop measurement techniques for optical links and high-speed electrical interfaces (power, spectrum, eye, BER, jitter)
• Evaluate and select instruments, define purchase requirements, and automate data workflows
• Bring up and characterize electro-optical chiplets with cross-functional teams
• Define validation plans from first silicon to tape-out and ensure cross-vendor correlations
• Collaborate with multiple optics vendors and qualify components
• Automate benches with Python and perform data analysis
• Document test plans, reports, and guidelines; mentor engineers and act as technical lead with vendors and leadership

• 15+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree (or 10+ years with Master’s/PhD)
• expert-level experience in high-speed electrical lab measurements (oscilloscopes, BERT, VNA/TDR, AWG, spectrum analyzers)
• expert-level experience in optical lab measurements (power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, photoreceivers)
• bench automation in Python (SCPI/VISA/GPIB) and data analysis (Python, MATLAB, JMP or R)
• working knowledge of high-speed board design (SI/PI, transmission lines, PCB materials)
• experience with OrCAD/Allegro or equivalent tools
• strong fundamentals in communication systems and analog/digital circuits
• proven technical leadership across sites and cross-functional collaboration
• good troubleshooting and root-cause skills
• fluent English with ability to work with remote teams across multiple countries

• leadership and people management
• cross-functional collaboration
• strong communication
• high-speed lab measurement techniques
• optical measurement techniques
• Python automation for instrument control