Optical-Mechanical Research Engineer

Overview

Keysight is on the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world‑class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award‑winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry‑first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

Mechanical Research Engineers in Keysight Laboratories typically work on several applied research projects from our larger research portfolio—which aims to provide breakthrough technologies for Keysight. As a researcher, you will help invent, develop, and validate these technologies, and if they prove successful, assist in their commercialization by Keysight’s businesses. This position requires a strong theoretical understanding and practical skills in the general area of precision mechanical engineering.

As Keysight’s central research organization, Keysight Laboratories is uniquely chartered with inventing and developing electronic and photonic technologies for differentiated next‑generation test and measurement solutions. You will be working with a friendly, talented, and multidisciplinary team of experts spanning fields from microwave and photonics to software development. To accelerate your innovation, you will have access to significant resources including our well‑equipped laboratories, precision machining teams and facilities, our measurement experts, and a full suite of software tools for design and simulation.

As an Optical‑Mechanical Research Engineer in Keysight Laboratories, you will apply your mechanical expertise as part of our team to propose, develop, and implement innovative yet practical solutions to technically challenging problems in the optical and photonic fields. Your work may include design, analysis, system or device simulations, and experimental measurements and demonstrations.

Mechanical research engineers are asked to:

• Identify emerging photonic packaging or mounting technologies early and how they can best be harnessed for Keysight.
• Invent and design optical or photonic packaging and mounting concepts or implementations to significantly impact Keysight’s businesses.
• Implement these innovative concepts in prototype hardware to prove feasibility.
• Work with Keysight’s businesses to transfer the technology into commercial products.

To foster rapid innovation, this position requires close collaboration with other team members. Consequently, this job must be performed from our offices in Santa Clara, California. Relocation is available for this position.

• Minimum 10 years of experience and a B.S., or 5 years of experience and a M.S., or 3 years and a Ph.D. degree in a relevant field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to create innovative mechanical engineering solutions for optical or photonic applications.
• Deep understanding of machining principles and processes.
• Experience designing tooling and fixtures.
• Hands‑on work experience in a laboratory setting and proficiency in using inspection equipment.
• Extensive experience with 3D CAD software (e.g., Siemens NX), FEA analysis tools, and physical prototyping.
• Opto‑mechanical or photonics packaging design experience.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Proficiency documenting designs for fabrication, including experience with GD&T.
• Self‑motivated with an ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

• Expertise in materials science and material selection in opto‑mechanical design.
• Familiarity with photonics integrated circuit (PIC) technologies.
• Experience designing tools and fixtures to aid in alignment, fabrication, gluing, and assembly of lasers, lenses, interferometers, PICs, or…