Photonics Test Development Engineer
Apple
Cupertino, CA, USA
USD 147,400-272,100 / year + Equity
Posted on Dec 24, 2025
Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, smart people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every single day.
Apple is looking for a Photonics Test Development Engineer with strong software development skills and experience scaling technology in a high-volume manufacturing environment. You will work within an optical science team to develop scalable optics and optoelectronics test and calibration processes for integrated photonics devices in sensing applications. The candidate will be responsible for developing test methodologies, designing specialized test equipment, and optimizing calibration processes to achieve high throughput and yield. Your work will establish the foundation for transitioning cutting-edge photonics technology into high-volume consumer products.
- Develop test and calibration methodologies optimized for speed and scalability
- Define requirements and specifications for specialized test equipment in collaboration with equipment vendors and internal teams
- Develop advanced software for photonics characterization, test automation, and data analysis
- Optimize control and calibration algorithms for fast feedback loops and automated module operation
- Interact with cross-functional teams to establish processes that enable future high-volume manufacturing
- Work closely with photonics process and design engineers to establish best practices and understand drivers of performance variability
- Work independently to overcome existing roadblocks and identify areas for improvement
- Bachelor’s degree in EE, Physics, or similar
- Experience in photonics, photonics testing, fiber or free-space optics, optomechanics, and a variety of optical measurement techniques
- Experience with Object-oriented programming and data analysis in Python, or similar
- 3+ years of relevant mass production experience
- PhD degree in EE, Physics, or similar
- Experience developing test processes for photonics or optical systems with consideration for manufacturing scalability
- Experience in design and specification of custom test equipment and automation solutions
- Experience in design and build of free-space, diffuse light, and fiber optical setups
- Experience in cross-functional collaboration with engineering and operations teams
- Understanding of manufacturing constraints including throughput optimization, and yield considerations
- Experience in building and maintaining full Python repositories or modules, including documentation and testing scripts. Regular use of version control systems like Git.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.