Photonics Product Engineer - High-Speed Optical Characterization The Opportunity

We are looking for a Photonics Product Engineer to lead the validation and characterization of high-speed silicon photonics and optical systems, supporting the transition from first-silicon prototypes through product maturity and production.

This is a hands-on, system-level role working across 100G, 200G and 400G optical architectures , with close interaction between photonics design, process, packaging, assembly and test teams.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead validation of high-speed photonic devices and optical systems, from individual devices through full system specifications.
- Develop and execute device- and system-level characterization and validation plans for modulators, photodetectors, waveguides, couplers and wavelength multiplexers.
- Characterize and correlate wafer-, package- and system-level performance against product specifications.
- Define test structures, experiments and measurement methodologies across process, voltage and temperature conditions.
- Perform detailed analysis of link budgets, bandwidth, insertion loss, crosstalk, extinction ratio, BER and power efficiency .
- Support 100G, 200G and 400G per-lane optical architectures, including PAM4 and/or coherent signaling.
- Support first-silicon bring-up, wafer-level and module-level characterization, and correlate simulation, silicon and production measurements.
- Identify performance gaps and feed silicon learning back into device design, models, PDKs and process targets .
- Drive design-for-manufacturability and design-for-test improvements to support robust yield and scalable production.




- Document validation results and product maturity to support design reviews, qualification and production release.
- Work closely with multidisciplinary teams across photonics design, process, packaging, assembly and test.

Required Experience
- Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics or a related discipline.
- Experience designing, characterizing or validating silicon photonics / PICs and high-speed optical devices .
- Strong understanding of optical devices including modulators, photodetectors, lasers, couplers and wavelength multiplexers .
- Hands-on experience with high-speed optical, electrical and RF test equipment, such as:
- Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs)
- Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSAs)
- BER testers / BERTs
- High-speed oscilloscopes
- Optical power and wavelength meters
- Wafer probe stations

- Experience with 100G, 200G and/or 400G optical systems.
- Understanding of link budgets, eye diagrams, BER and PAM4 and/or coherent signaling .
- Experience correlating first-silicon results with specifications and models.
- Solid data analysis and statistical characterization skills.
- Experience with Python and/or MATLAB for test automation and data analysis.
- Understanding of design-for-test, design-for-manufacturability and production ramp considerations.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- Annual performance bonus
- Equity opportunities
- Medical insurance
- Relocation support may be available depending on location and eligibility

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

📌 Photonics Product Engineering Lead (Quebec City)
🏢 Darwin Recruitment
📍 Quebec City