Photonics Engineer; Opto-Mechanical

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) has a 90+ year history of technical innovations that have evolved to keep pace and address our customers’ most pressing business issues. We make equipment, software, and systems that help plan, deploy, certify, monitor, and optimize all kinds of networks – for mobile phones, service providers, large businesses, and data centers. We are also at the forefront of optical security, bending light to develop and deliver optical solutions that provide security to the world’s currencies and safety and performance applications for consumer electronics and spectrometry.

Our products help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees support customer success and welcome people who bring their best every day to question, collaborate and push for solutions that delight customers.

We are looking for an opto-mechanical engineer with experience across a broad spectrum of optical components, modules, systems, and technologies. The candidate is expected to have a strong background using optical and mechanical design tools for prototyping, modeling, and simulation, with experience in automation and optical analysis tools. The ideal candidate will have experience across the complete product life cycle: concept, research, development, and new product introduction.

In addition, customer interaction, technology roadmap development, and standards body activities will be required.

• Design and develop photonics products to be used in VIAVI’s test equipment portfolio.
• Perform photonics and assembly-package design, including drafting component drawings, prototyping, and assembly.
• Design and develop related jigs and fixtures for photonics alignment and assembly.
• Evaluate passive and active optical technologies and packaging solutions, propose concepts, and contribute to new business development, including product life cycle management.
• Present test data, analysis, and recommendations to other R&D teams for discussion and feedback.
• Lead and participate in optical/system design reviews.
• Work with other optical designers in the R&D groups to establish efficiencies through tool selection, consolidation, and training.
• Interact with vendors and source required components for new products.
• Develop specifications and testing requirements and establish hands‑on test solutions.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience with opto‑mechanical systems and photonics packaging tools and technologies.
• Proven ability to design and model opto‑mechanical systems, build prototypes, and transition designs into manufacturing.
• Experience with design for quality (DFQ).
• Experience with vendor interaction and selection.
• Hands‑on experience with various alignment and assembly tools and equipment, and the ability to develop and set up alignment stations.
• Experience with software development or scripting in Python.

• Ability to give and receive constructive criticism.
• 5+ years of experience in photonics product/technology development with solid alignment and assembly experience.
• 3+ years of experience with optical modeling software and CAD modeling software.
• Proven track record of working with multidisciplinary and cross‑functional teams.
• Experience developing photonics products such as lasers, MEMS, EDFAs, optical switches, free‑space optics, attenuators, optical spectrum analyzers, optical filters, polarimeters, optical power meters, transceivers, CPO, OFDR, and ODTR.
• Knowledge of modern telecommunications and fiber optic transmission technologies and data centers.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal‑opportunity and affirmative action employer for minorities, females, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Job Posting Pay Range: $125,300 to $232,700. Salary may vary based on qualifications and location. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.