Principal Optical Process Engineer - USA - CA - San Jose (Rose), United States
$134,750 - $192,500 USD yearly
Originally posted 28 October 2026 by the employer.
About the role
This role joins the semiconductor manufacturing fab process team in San Jose to maintain existing optical systems and develop photolithography processes for optoelectronic solutions and photonics chips.
What you'll do
- Lead the development, optimization, and implementation of photolithography processes for semiconductor manufacturing nodes. - Maintain optical holographic systems integrating lasers, optics, and hardware components. - Develop and refine coherent optical systems, including interferometry setups and laser-based architecture. - Partner with design, integration, and equipment engineering teams for new product and tool qualifications. - Perform statistical data analysis utilizing Six Sigma methodologies including FMEA, capability analysis, SPC, DOE, and Design for Manufacturing to improve processes, reduce defects, and minimize variations. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet fab yield targets, reduce costs, and minimize cycle time.
What you'll need
- Ph.D. or Master's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline. - Programming experience in Python, VBA macros, LabVIEW, or C++. - Familiarity with optical inspection equipment, photolithography tools, and cleanroom protocols. - Proficiency in statistical tools (such as DOE and SPC) and data analysis software (such as JMP and Minitab) to optimize process parameters. - Availability to work on-site at Lumentum's facility in San Jose during business hours.
Nice to have
- Hands-on experience with optical bench configuration, assembly of optical components, and routine maintenance protocols. - Photolithography wafer patterning experience using displacement Talbot lithography methods.
This role has been open 0 days — well below the 53-day median for Hardware Systems Engineering roles.
Hardware Systems Engineering · AI ML Hardware
|
Open roles in category
1022
|
Median days open
53 d
|
Median salary
$155k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Lumentum | All employers we track in this specialty (1022 roles · 100 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 11 | 1022 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 29 | 6331 · 146 employers |
| Median days open | 22 d | 53 d (−31 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $155k |
Who's hiring in this category
- Intel Corporation · 76 open roles · median 40 d
- KLA Corporation · 63 open roles · median 54 d
- Teradyne · 58 open roles · median 40 d
- Applied Materials · 49 open roles · median 68 d
- NVIDIA · 49 open roles · median 71 d
- AMD · 43 open roles · median 57 d
How we counted: 1022 open Hardware Systems Engineering (AI ML Hardware) roles from 100 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 28 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.