Senior Staff Engineer - Optical Systems & Experimental Platforms

Eridu AI

$130K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in optical communication systems or related field
  • Proficiency in experimental design and execution
  • Experience with MATLAB and/or Python for data analysis
  • Strong background in optical and electro-optical subsystem characterization
  • Expertise in building and automating sophisticated optical labs
  • Familiarity with high-throughput scanning routines
  • Knowledge of diffractive-waveguide technologies and related optical systems

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute comprehensive test and measurement systems for Optical Bridge initiatives
  • Design and conduct experiments for subsystem characterization
  • Create methodologies for optical alignment and system validation
  • Generate experimental data to inform design and mitigate risk
  • Build and operationalize an advanced optical lab
  • Design and implement automated measurement systems using advanced instrumentation
  • Analyze large datasets and integrate findings with existing models

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge optical communication technology
  • Collaborative environment with close partnership among technical teams
  • Engagement in diverse photonics programs and research publications
Full Job Description
Position Overview

Owns the development and execution of test and measurement systems for advanced optical communication systems, with an initial focus on the Optical Bridge programs. Responsible for building and automating the optical lab, designing and running complex experiments, and generating the experimental data needed to validate and refine system designs. Works in close partnership with Greg Miller, who leads Optical Bridge and broader system development spanning devices, subsystems, and integration.

Test and Measurement Ownership
  • Own development and execution of test and measurement systems for Optical Bridge and related programs
  • Design and run experiments for optical and electro-optical subsystem characterization
  • Develop methodologies for alignment, coupling, loss, and system validation
  • Provide experimental data to guide design decisions and reduce technical risk
Optics Lab & Automation
  • Build and operationalize the optical lab
  • Design automated measurement systems using nanopositioners and instrumentation
  • Develop high-throughput scan routines and workflows
  • Ensure repeatable and scalable measurement processes
Software and Data
  • Develop MATLAB and/or Python tools for experiment control and data analysis
  • Manage and analyze large datasets
  • Correlate results with models and simulations
Optical Bridge & Photonics Programs
  • Support diffractive-waveguide Optical Bridge and alternative concepts including GRIN and TIR
  • Contribute to CPO, XPO, and fiber interface programs
  • Collaborate across teams needing experimental validation support
Advanced Device Evaluation
  • Test and characterize state-of-the-art optical detectors
  • Benchmark external technologies against system needs
  • Contribute to publications and technical disclosures
What Success Looks Like
  • Optical lab is fully operational and automated
  • Testing bottlenecks are removed from Optical Bridge programs
  • High-quality data drives rapid design iteration
  • Strong support provided across photonics programs


The starting base salary for the selected candidate will be established based on their relevant skills, experience, qualifications, work location, market trends, and the compensation of employees in comparable roles.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Eridu AI

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior Staff Engineer - Optical Systems & Experimental Platforms jobs: