Photonics Test Engineer

About the Team

Born at X, Google's Moonshot Factory, Taara is on a mission to connect billions of people who lack abundant and affordable internet by pioneering high-throughput, long-range free-space optical communication (FSOC). Our links use eye-safe lasers propagating between two terminals to transmit high-speed data wirelessly. Lead the charge in bringing our groundbreaking wireless optical communication to the world. Join us to light the way toward bridging the digital divide and illuminating the future.

About the Role

Taara is seeking a Photonics Test Engineer to join the R&D team developing cutting-edge wireless optical communication systems based on integrated optical phased arrays. In this role, you will own the design, development, and operation of test stations used for photonic device characterization.

The successful candidate will contribute to the full lifecycle of photonic test infrastructure — from designing and building custom test stations, to developing and executing automated test routines for wafer-level and chip-level photonic device testing, to analyzing results and delivering clear technical reports to the engineering team. The role requires a strong foundation in photonics or optics, comfort with hands-on lab work, and strong technical communication skills.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys working in a small, dynamic team environment, and has a passion for solving challenging problems that lead to high-impact technological advances.

How you will make 10x impact:

• Build and own the photonic test infrastructure that validates Taara's next-generation optical phased array technology.

• Close the loop between design and test, turning measurement data into insights that accelerate device performance and yield.

• Establish the test methodologies that scale Taara's photonic technology from lab prototypes to production-ready systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop automated test routines for wafer-level, chip-level, and packaged photonic device testing, and execute test campaigns to support R&D and product development.

• Select, integrate, and validate optical and electro-optical components for custom test stations, including alignment stages, fiber coupling systems, and instrumentation.

• Write comprehensive test reports that clearly explain results, trends, and anomalies to the engineering team, enabling data-driven design decisions.

• Collaborate with the photonic design team to translate test results into actionable feedback, driving improvements in device performance and yield.

• Prepare detailed design documentation for test stations, including system architecture, bill of materials, assembly instructions, and standard operating procedures.

What you should have:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.

• Strong foundational knowledge of photonic device physics (waveguides, modulators, detectors, filters, etc.).

• Hands-on lab experience with optical or electro-optical measurement setups.

• Familiarity with test automation or scripting using Python.

• Exposure to photonic test equipment such as tunable lasers, optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, or photodetectors.

• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to produce clear documentation and reports.

• Ability to be onsite in Sunnyvale location.

It would be great if you also had these:

• Experience with wafer-level probing or automated wafer-scale photonic testing.

• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Python/Pandas).

• Experience with Git and collaborative software development practices.

• Experience working in a cleanroom.

Relocation assistance can be provided.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $160,000 - $180,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.