Optical Manufacturing Principal Engineer

ABOUT LUMILENS At Lumilens we are building the critical photonics infrastructure that powers tomorrow’s AI supercomputing. From chip-to-chip optical interconnects to scalable photonic engines, Lumilens is unlocking a new era of computing faster, cooler, and massively more efficient. We’re a well-funded startup backed by Mayfield and led by veterans who’ve built and scaled some of the most transformative technologies in the industry. This isn’t incremental innovation, it’s a ground-floor opportunity to rethink the optical layer from the silicon up. You’ll work alongside a team of world-class engineers solving some of the hardest challenges in optics, systems, and scale. Every line of code, every design decision, every breakthrough you help deliver will shape the infrastructure of tomorrow. If you're looking for mission, momentum, and the chance to make an outsized impact jump on the rocket ship. We’re just getting started. POSITION OVERVIEW As an Optical Manufacturing Principal Engineer specializing in software and hardware automation, you will work on test automation and networking protocols. You will help validate complex systems at Layer 1 and Layer 2 using tools like Ixia and build Python based frameworks. This is a critical role in validating and ensuring the quality of Lumilens’ photonic components, modules, and systems. This role blends hands-on production testing with software test development and reporting, supporting both new product introduction (NPI) and volume manufacturing. You’ll work closely with optical design, hardware, and manufacturing teams to perform design for manufacturing, calibration, characterization, and troubleshooting. DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES - Collaborate with design engineering and manufacturing teams to define and develop test software for high-volume manufacturing of high-end optical components. - End-to-end manufacturing test ownership: Ensure all modifications and upgrades to test and manufacturing software are under change control and follow established QMS requirements. This includes monitoring software revision control, bug tracking, tester updates, regression testing, test logs, etc. - Keep documentation and test specifications up to date. Use systematic processes for test cases, results and defect management. - Proficient in using version control systems like Github/Bitbucket - Perform functional, regression, and performance testing on Layer 1 and Layer 2 network systems. Validate hardware and software integration with optical interfaces and network switches. Configure and use traffic generators (e.g., IXIA) to simulate network environments and evaluate performance. - Develop, maintain, and execute automated test cases in Python. - Continuously improve test frameworks and methodologies. - Integrate test software with cloud monitoring and reporting tools - Collaborate with developers and hardware engineers to identify, reproduce, and resolve defects. Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis to resolve product issues. - End-to-end manufacturing test ownership: Ensure all the changes to test hardware, processes, etc. are under change control and follow established QMS requirements. This includes equipment selection and specification, tester BOM and estimated cost, test schematic diagram, test flows, work instructions, etc. - Responsible for tester documentation and specifications. Analyze test results to ensure compliance with performance specifications and quality standards. - Develop, assemble, validate, buy off and release the testers for production. - Responsible for product test yield, with quality and reliability. - Expert in optical test equipment and protocols, and how they pertain to the manufacturing and design of optical transceivers. - Hands-on experience with optical test instruments (e.g., optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, polarization controllers, bit-error-rate testers). - In-depth technical knowledge and hands-on experience in yield analysis, problem solving, and implementation of manufacturing processes. - Practical experience in SPC, GR&R, tester correlation, and report generation. - Responsible for analyzing, defining, developing, and executing continuous improvement plans to achieve test yield, cycle time, throughput, and scrap reduction. - Collaborate with quality teams for the planning and execution of qualification testing. - Collaborate with design teams and process engineering to ensure design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for test (DFT) guidelines are met. - Generate comprehensive test reports for internal and external stakeholders. - Develop and implement troubleshooting guidelines and automated tools, templates, and data analysis for testers and products in manufacturing. - Collaborate with software engineers, IT and database architects to define better solutions to manage and analyze manufacturing test data. SKILLS/EXPERIENCE - Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related field, plus 7 years hand-on experience in software testing and test automation of optical transceiver products including Silicon Photonics. Experiences in transceiver module tests at 400G, 800G, 1.6T, etc., are preferable. - In-depth technical knowledge and hands-on experience in yield analysis, problem solving, and implementation of manufacturing processes. - Familiarity with processor communication interfaces and test automation tools. - Data query and data analysis skills, using statistical tools and techniques. - In-depth understanding and practical experience in SPC, GR&R, tester correlation, and report generation. - Experience and skill in C# and/or Python with database integration: SQL, NoSQL for test data logging and analysis is a plus - Ability to write or adapt scripts for automation (Python, LabVIEW, Visual Basic; Shell scripting is a plus) - Strong experience with unit and integration testing. - Good understanding of Layer 1 and Layer 2 networking protocols. Experience with optical testing, network switches, and traffic generators like IXIA. - Familiar with OOP concepts such as class, interface, inheritance and polymorphism - Familiar with Windows Form or WPF - Hardware communication protocols: NI-VISA, SCPI, RS-232, TCP/IP. - Proficiency with version control tools and workflows: Github, Bitbucket or SVN. - Experience in ongoing reliability testing and quality control best practices. - In depth understanding of the quality management system and quality standard requirements. - Capable of managing multiple test projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment. - Ability to work well in a geographically diverse cross-functional team. - Good command in English communication both verbal and written, including in-person and virtual presentation skills. Able to train and mentor peers when needed. - International travel required. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.