Principal Engineer, Laser Controls

About the role

The Principal Engineer, Laser Controls defines and drives the control architecture for laser-based optical modules across the full product lifecycle. The role spans optical power regulation, current control, thermal stabilization, and wavelength calibration.

What you'll do

• Define and own the end-to-end laser module control architecture, covering APC loops, ACC strategies, automatic calibration frameworks, and TEC control.
• Design, model, and optimize closed-loop control strategies balancing performance, reliability, and manufacturability across PVT and lifetime conditions.
• Account for laser non-linearities (L-I curves, threshold behavior), aging, degradation, noise, stability margins, and transient performance.
• Develop module embedded laser control firmware, including real-time control loops, factory and in-field calibration routines, and fault detection mechanisms.
• Establish modeling and correlation frameworks linking simulation models to silicon and optical hardware performance.

What you'll need

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Controls, or related field with ~12–15+ years of experience focused on laser systems and control.
• Strong expertise in APC/ACC loop design, laser behavior (L-I-V characteristics, thermal effects, degradation mechanisms), and feedback control theory.
• Proven experience implementing factory and adaptive/in-field calibration algorithms.
• Strong embedded firmware background for real-time control systems.
• Proficiency in modeling and simulation using MATLAB, Python, Simulink, or equivalent tools, with hardware correlation experience.
• Track record of driving system-level architecture and influencing cross-functional teams.

Nice to have

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Controls, or related field.
• Experience with pluggable optical modules and CMIS.
• Familiarity with high-speed optical links and SerDes.
• Experience with reliability engineering covering lifetime drift, burn-in, and field performance.
• Exposure to high-volume manufacturing, yield optimization, and test infrastructure.

Skills: laser control, APC, ACC, TEC, embedded firmware, Simulink

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