Principal Photonics Process Development Engineer - Fiber Process Focus

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Photonics Process Development Engineer with deep expertise in optical fiber processes. As we scale, you will play a critical role in building robust, production-ready fiber handling and integration capabilities from the ground up. This is a highly hand-on on role for a self-starter who thrives in a dynamic startup environment. You will work closely with device, optical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to turn fragile photonic designs into reliable, manufacturable products—with particular ownership over fiber-based processes and interfaces. You’ll have the opportunity to define best-in-class methods for fiber preparation, handling, and integration, while influencing tooling, automation, and overall process architecture.

Key Responsibilities:

Own and lead development of fiber-centric processes, including:

• Precision fiber cleaving (single-mode, PM, specialty fibers)
• Fusion splicing (including low-loss and polarization-maintaining alignment)
• Fiber endcapping and thermal management strategies
• Fiber cleaning, preparation, and contamination control
• Inspection and analysis (end-face quality, geometry, defects, burn-back, etc.)

Develop and optimize photonic assembly processes:

• Fiber-to-device coupling and active alignment
• Integration of fibers into packages (TO, butterfly, micro-optic assemblies)
• Optics attach (lenses, isolators, fiber arrays)

Broader packaging and assembly responsibilities:

• Die attach (epoxy, eutectic, solder)
• Wire bonding (Au, Al; ball and wedge)
• Vacuum reflow soldering (AuSn, SAC, indium)

Process development & manufacturing scale-up:

• Design and execute DOE to improve coupling efficiency, yield, and reliability
• Transition processes from R&D to pilot and production environments
• Develop process flows, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation
• Perform root-cause analysis on optical loss, fiber damage, and reliability failures
• Define tooling, fixturing, and automation strategies for fiber handling

Cross-functional collaboration & leadership:

• Work with equipment vendors on fiber tooling (splicers, cleavers, inspection systems)
• Support qualification, reliability testing, and failure analysis
• Train technicians and engineers on fiber handling best practices

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• Typically 8+ years of relevant experience in photonics or optoelectronic process development
• 5+ years with demonstrated hands-on expertise with fiber processes in a production or R&D environment

Core Skills:

• Fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation across a range of fiber types
• Fusion splicing (including PM fiber alignment and loss optimization)
• Fiber endcapping and high-power handling considerations
• Fiber inspection and failure analysis techniques
• Strong understanding of contamination control and cleaning methods
• Experience with fiber alignment and coupling optimization
• Die bonding and solder attach
• Wire bonding (ball or wedge)
• Familiarity with vacuum reflow processes
• Strong understanding of process control, yield improvement, and manufacturability
• Comfortable working in lab and cleanroom environments
• Excellent documentation and process definition skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with high-power fiber systems or laser modules
• Familiarity with hermetic packaging (butterfly / TO-can / micro-optic packages)
• Experience with active alignment systems and automated assembly platforms
• Reliability testing experience (thermal cycling, HTOL, damp heat)
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and manufacturing metrics
• Experience scaling fiber processes into low- or medium-volume production

Startup Mindset:

• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and execution-focused
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced evolving environment
• Proactive in identifying problems and driving solutions
• Willing to take ownership of processes and continuously improve them

The expected annual salary range for this position is $175,000-$225,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.