Principal Engineer (Optical Coating)

Position Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on InP Facet Coating Expert to be the subject matter expert in developing, optimizing, and sustaining the optical coating processes for Indium Phosphide (InP) based semiconductor laser. The primary goal of this role is to ensure superior device reliability, high output power, and precise reflectivity control necessary for cutting-edge laser products.

Key Responsibilities:

(i) Process Development & Optimization: Design, develop, and qualify robust Anti-Reflection (AR), Low-Reflection (LR) and High-Reflection (HR) thin-film coating processes for InP device facets (e.g., DFB, SOA, GC, EML) to precisely control facet reflectivity from 0.01% to 95%.
(ii) Optimize coating recipes (e.g., material choice, layer thickness, deposition rate, in-situ surface cleaning) to achieve device spec and enhance long-term device reliability.
(iii) Conduct Design of Experiments (DOEs) to systematically improve process stability, uniformity, and yield.

(iv) Manage and specify coating materials (e.g., Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, Ta2O5, Si, etc) and tooling to minimize contamination and ensure high purity.
(v) Metrology and Characterization: Develop, implement and maintain in-line and off-line metrology techniques (e.g., Spectrometry, Ellipsometry, SEM, AFM) to characterize film thickness, refractive index, uniformity, and stress.
(vi) Perform measurements and reliability testing before and after coating to validate performance and lifetime improvements.
(vii) Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the new product design, manufacturing, and assembly teams to ensure seamless integration of the facet coating process into the full fabrication flow.
(viii) Provide technical expertise and root cause analysis (RCA) for coating-related yield excursions or device failures.
(ix) Documentation and Training: Create detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process control plans (SPC), and technical reports.
(x) Train and mentor technicians and junior engineers on complex coating equipment and measurement protocols.

Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Optics, or a related field.
Experience: Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience in optical thin-film coating specifically within the semiconductor laser or photonics industry.

Technical Skills:

. Proven expertise in vacuum deposition techniques (e.g., e-beam evaporation, sputtering, ion-assisted eposition) and a strong understanding of the physics of dielectric thin films.
. Experience with coating systems such as Denton, Bhler, Optorun, or similar tools is required.

. Direct, practical experiencewith InP or GaAs material systems and the specific challenges of coating laser diode facets.

. Proficiency with optical thin-film design software.

. Strong background in statistical process control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE).

Desired Attributes:

. Familiarity with cleanroom protocols and semiconductor fabrication environments.

. Ability to read, interpret, and generate technical drawings and blueprints.

. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams.