Sr. Principal Photonics Engineer

About Marvell

Marvell's semiconductor solutions are the essential building blocks of the data infrastructure that connects our world. Across enterprise, cloud and AI, and carrier architectures, our innovative technology is enabling new possibilities.

At Marvell, you can affect the arc of individual lives, lift the trajectory of entire industries, and fuel the transformative potential of tomorrow. For those looking to make their mark on purposeful and enduring innovation, above and beyond fleeting trends, Marvell is a place to thrive, learn, and lead.

Your Team, Your Impact

We are seeking a Sr. Principal Photonics Engineer to join our Advanced Technology Infrastructure team. This role is instrumental in pathfinding and developing next-generation optical test and assembly infrastructure for high-speed, high-density photonic and co-packaged optical devices. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in photonic design, optomechanics, and test systems, and will collaborate across disciplines to deliver scalable, manufacturable, and reliable solutions from early silicon through production.

What You Can Expect

• Lead the design, simulation, and validation of photonic test and assembly systems, including optical probe hardware, lens assemblies, and alignment platforms.
• Develop and qualify optomechanical solutions for wafer-level and package-level optical testing, including co-packaged optics (CPO) and standalone optical engines.
• Drive BOM creation, vendor engagement, and prototype validation for optical test, including fiber assemblies, loopbacks, blind-mates, and passive optics.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, automation, and product engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of photonic systems into test infrastructure.
• Define and execute evaluation plans, margining, and correlation studies for optical performance and alignment robustness.
• Support development of optical test vehicles and alignment systems for NPI and high-volume manufacturing.
• Analyze optical system performance, identify root causes of variation, and drive continuous improvement in alignment accuracy, repeatability, and throughput.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related fields and 15+ years of relevant experience, or Master's/PhD in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related fields with 10-12 years of experience.
• Proven experience in photonic test and packaging, including wafer-level, engine-level and fiber-coupled optical systems.
• Strong background in optomechanical design, optical alignment, and vibration mitigation.
• Proficiency with simulation tools such as Zemax, Lumerical, and Ansys for optical and mechanical modeling.
• Familiarity with optical test equipment (e.g., lightwave component analyzers, optical power meters, lasers) and integration with ATE or SLT platforms.
• Architect level test experience with co-packaged optics, silicon photonics, or high-speed optical interconnects is highly desired.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of leading complex photonic infrastructure projects from concept to deployment.

Expected Base Pay Range (USD)
153,530 - 230,000, $ per annum

The successful candidate's starting base pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location and market conditions. The expected base pay range for this role may be modified based on market conditions.

Additional Compensation and Benefit Elements
Marvell is committed to providing exceptional, comprehensive benefits that support our employees at every stage - from internship to retirement and through life's most important moments. Our offerings are built around four key pillars: financial well-being, family support, mental and physical health, and recognition. Highlights include an employee stock purchase plan with a 2-year look back, family support programs to help balance work and home life, robust mental health resources to prioritize emotional well-being, and a recognition and service awards to celebrate contributions and milestones. We look forward to sharing more with you during the interview process.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Any applicant who requires a reasonable accommodation during the selection process should contact Marvell HR Helpdesk at

Interview Integrity

To support fair and authentic hiring practices, candidates are not permitted to use AI tools (such as transcription apps, real-time answer generators like ChatGPT or Copilot, or automated note-taking bots) during interviews.

These tools must not be used to record, assist with, or enhance responses in any way. Our interviews are designed to evaluate your individual experience, thought process, and communication skills in real time. Use of AI tools without prior instruction from the interviewer will result in disqualification from the hiring process.

This position may require access to technology and/or software subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, applicants must be eligible to access export-controlled information as defined under applicable law. Marvell may be required to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce and/or the U.S. Department of State. Except for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), all applicants may be subject to an export license review process prior to employment.

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