Your Job We are seeking an Optical Automation Engineer to help build and improve automated optical test systems. This role blends hands-on optical lab work with software development: you'll help automate measurements, integrate optical instruments, and collaborate with engineers across optics, hardware, mechanical, and software disciplines.
What You Will Do - Support and improve automated optical test systems used for development and validation.
- Work directly with optical lab equipment (e.g., Optical Spectrum Analyzers, power meters, optical switches) and help integrate it into automated workflows.
- Develop and maintain test automation software (primarily C in LabWindows/CVI and Python).
- Help troubleshoot issues across optical setup behavior, instrument communication, and software.
- Learn an existing codebase and contribute improvements in a structured, maintainable way.
- Participate in code reviews and incorporate feedback to improve quality and reliability.
- Document requirements and decisions, create well-scoped tickets, and keep work status updated.
- Collaborate with teammates across software, optics, hardware, and mechanical engineering.
How we work (collaboration & communication):
- You'll work as part of a team and partner with engineers in multiple disciplines.
- We value clear communication, thoughtful questions, and written documentation that helps others move faster.
- Feedback is part of the process: code reviews are used to share context and improve quality.
- Responsible AI use; i.e., AI tools are used only within company policy.
- You may not upload company or confidential information to personal AI accounts or public AI services.
- AI-assisted code or documentation remains your responsibility and must follow the standard review process.
- AI-assisted changes must align with the existing architecture (or clearly justify improvements) and avoid unnecessary complexity-reusability matters.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications) - BS/MS in Physics, Optics/Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience in optics/telecom.
- Hands-on or theoretical knowledge of fiber optics, lasers, detectors, modulation, attenuation/OSNR, WDM, link budgets, and basic telecom concepts.
- Comfortable in labs and with test setups. Experience controlling instruments via VISA/SCPI, serial, USB, Ethernet, or GPIB.
- Programming experience in Python and C/C++ (OOP); familiar with Windows APIs/DLLs. Able to learn and write production-quality code with support.
- Exposure to C-based test automation and automating repetitive tasks (scripts, small tools, data collection/analysis).
- Experience with optical test equipment (OSA, powermeter, tunable lasers, optical switches, attenuators).
- Experience debugging HW/SW interactions (labs, capstone, internships, or industry).
- Familiar with software-quality practices including version control, testing, and code reviews.
- Strong collaboration and communication such as asking clarifying questions, sharing progress, and documenting outcomes.
What Will Put You Ahead - Experience in Physics and/or Optics-related software processes
- Knowledge of National Instruments' LabWindows programming environment
For this role, we anticipate paying $125,000 - $140,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .
Our Benefits Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
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