Optical Reliability Engineer

About Inpho

Inpho is a fast-growing startup developing cutting-edge optoelectronic solutions for next-generation communications and photonic systems. Our multidisciplinary team is pushing the boundaries of innovation in integrated photonics and semiconductor packaging.

Inpho’s new class of electro-photonic chips is poised to revolutionize the optical interconnect market by enabling lower cost architectures, improved price/performance, and next-generation high-speed interconnects.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Optical Reliability Engineer to lead the end-to-end reliability characterization and qualification of InP-based photonic devices including EMLs, lasers, modulators, and photodetectors. This hands-on role combines deep understanding of device physics, degradation mechanisms, accelerated reliability testing, and failure analysis to improve product robustness throughout development and production.

You will work closely with Device Design, Epitaxy, Process Engineering, Packaging, Test, Failure Analysis, and external partners to understand failure mechanisms, define reliability strategies, and drive product improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead reliability characterization of lasers, EMLs, modulators, photodiodes, and PICs.
• Investigate optical degradation mechanisms and correlate performance degradation with device physics.
• Develop reliability screening methodologies for optical devices.
• Analyze degradation of threshold current, slope efficiency, optical power, responsivity, dark current, wavelength drift, extinction ratio, and other key optical parameters.
• Correlate reliability data with epitaxial growth, wafer processing, and packaging variables.
• Define reliability requirements during new product development.

Reliability Strategy & Qualification

• Define reliability characterization plans for new optical device technologies.
• Determine appropriate stress conditions based on expected degradation mechanisms.
• Develop acceleration models for optical device lifetime prediction.
• Evaluate wear-out mechanisms for lasers, modulators, and photodetectors.

Reliability Physics

• Understand degradation mechanisms in III-V semiconductor devices.
• Develop Arrhenius, Peck, Eyring, and current acceleration models.
• Perform lifetime extrapolation.
• Develop activation energy models.
• Evaluate optical performance degradation over life.

Failure Analysis Integration

• Identify dominant failure mechanisms in III-V photonic devices.
• Correlate FA findings (FIB, TEM, SEM, EDX, OBIRCH, emission microscopy, etc.) with electrical and optical degradation.
• Develop physics-based hypotheses for failure mechanisms.
• Drive corrective actions with Design, Process Engineering, Packaging, and Suppliers.

Data & Reporting

• Analyze qualification and stress data (trend analysis, degradation modeling).
• Maintain qualification matrices and stress coverage documentation.
• Prepare reliability summary reports for internal and customer use.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in semiconductor device or photonic device reliability engineering.
• Strong understanding of III-V semiconductor device physics, including lasers, EMLs, modulators, photodiodes, and PICs.
• Strong understanding of optical performance parameters including threshold current, slope efficiency, responsivity, dark current, optical power, wavelength, and extinction ratio.
• Experience with degradation mechanisms in InP-based photonic devices.
• Experience interpreting optical characterization data.
• Familiarity with epitaxial growth, wafer fabrication, and optical packaging.
• Experience with Telcordia GR-468 and/or JEDEC JESD47.
• Strong statistical analysis skills (Minitab, JMP, Python, Excel).
• Experience working with external labs and contract manufacturers.
• Strong cross-functional communication and technical decision-making ability.

Preferred Experience

• Reliability of InP photonic integrated circuits.
• Reliability of lasers, EMLs, photodiodes, or silicon photonics.
• Experience with accelerated lifetime testing of optical devices.
• Familiarity with optical communications products.
• Startup or high-growth environment experience.

Why Join Inpho?

• Be part of a mission-driven startup shaping the future of photonics.
• Competitive salary and equity packages, flexible work environment, and career growth opportunities.

Come work with a dynamic, high-talent team to build and commercialize the highest performance photonics chips in the world!