Automation Engineer - Photonic Test Systems

Are you passionate about turning complex lab processes into elegant, scalable automation systems? At Lightium, we’re pioneering next-generation photonic integrated circuits (PICs) built on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), and we’re looking for an Automation Engineer to help us accelerate how we test and validate our technology.

Position Summary

Join our Characterization Team and take ownership of automating wafer-scale optical and electrical measurements using advanced equipment like the MPI 3500. Develop robust control software, optimize throughput and reliability, and collaborate closely with our data scientist to streamline measurement pipelines for analysis. Your work will be key in scaling our testing infrastructure and delivering high-quality data for our design and modelling teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain automated wafer-level measurement setups using advanced probers (e.g., MPI 3500), ensuring robustness, speed, and repeatability.
• Write Python-based control routines to operate optical and RF instruments, manage interfaces (GPIB, USB, Ethernet), and integrate new devices.
• Collaborate with the data science team to ensure reliable, structured data output for statistical modelling and physical analysis.
• Work closely with PIC Characterization Engineers to translate testing needs into automated procedures.
• Coordinate with design and fabrication teams to align test automation with project priorities.
• Monitor and improve system performance, contribute to scaling test capacity, and stay current with best practices in lab automation and photonic test systems.

What You’ll Bring

• Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Applied Physics, Computer Science, Robotics, or related fields.
• Hands-on experience automating test equipment in lab environments; familiarity with wafer-level photonic or electronic measurements is a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in Python for lab automation; experience with hardware control interfaces (SCPI, VISA) and optical or RF tools.
• Strong organizational skills for planning, documenting, and defining standard operating procedures.
• Excellent communication skills to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Adaptability and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Fluency in English (required).

What We Offer

• Lead a cutting-edge manufacturing initiative in photonics.
• Collaborative, innovative work environment shaping future telecommunications and datacom.
• Competitive compensation with an employee stock option plan (ESOP).
• Opportunity to grow and develop professional skills rapidly in an early-phase startup.

Lightium is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.