2026 Summer Internship - Photonics Test Engineer - PhD (Santa Clara, CA)

As an optoelectronics testing engineer, you'll be responsible for characterizing and testing our next generation photonics interconnect devices, such as interposer, waveguide, FAU, CPO,  transceivers, and various optoelectronic subsystems. You will conduct verification and characterization of various active and passive optical and photonic components including but not limited to modulators, photodetectors, passive waveguides and couplers, multiplexers and de-multiplexers, and fiber-to-chip coupling. You will define test plan and develop test setup and procedures for optical device and modules.

Responsibilities

• Bring-up and characterization of high-speed optical components, including waveguide, coupler, modulators and photodetectors, ensuring they meet performance expectations.
• Design, implement and maintain optical and electrical test setups
• Design and implement test procedures for silicon photonics chips and SIP based optical subsystems
• Design and execute validation and debug plans aligned with product specs, including link-level electro-optic testing using industry-standard equipment like BERTs, DCAs, VNAs, and AWGs.
• Design and debug test methods and fixtures to characterize optical alignment systems
• Establish and manage test data collection, archiving, analysis and presentation
• Maintain test equipment and instrument calibration, identify and purchase test parts and write equipment preventive maintenance (PM) procedures
  
  

Qualification

• Ph.D. or working towards Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optics and Optical Engineering, Applied Physics or related field
• Hands on experience with optical chip, component and system-level prototyping and testing for Telecommunications or Data Center Interconnect (DCI) product development.

• Working knowledge and experience with manufacturing support, such as optical component testing and performance evaluation.
• Fluent in programming skills in a PC/Windows environment using C, Python, LabView to enable test scripting and automation
• Data collection, analysis and reporting data analysis software such as JMP, Matlab, and MS Office.
• Desirable experience with CAD/modeling/simulation software such as PADs, Solidworks, and Zemax
• Self-motivated, creative, teamwork oriented

Qualifications

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Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.