Photonics Engineer — Fiber Optics and Photonic Instrumentation

The role

A separate photonics role focused on how light is generated, transported, modulated, detected, and integrated into compact instruments. We are especially interested in researchers comfortable moving between guided-wave physics and the optical bench.

The work

• Develop fiber-optic sensing and spectral measurement concepts, including fiber selection, coupling, and interrogation architectures.
• Characterize propagation loss, coupling efficiency, bending sensitivity, mode behavior, polarization, and stability.
• Design laser, broadband-source, detector, and spectrometer subsystems suited to weak-signal measurements.
• Evaluate fiber geometries, micro-optical components, and packaging constraints in compact or mechanically constrained assemblies.
• Build benchtop demonstrators; quantify signal-to-noise ratio, temperature drift, cross-talk, and optical power budgets.
• Collaborate with optical designers, fabrication engineers, and neuroscience researchers to identify realistic form factors.
• Document assumptions, calibration data, assembly tolerances, and repeatability.

What matters

• Experience with fiber optics, optical waveguides, lasers, spectral detection, or photonic sensor systems.
• Understanding of guided modes, numerical aperture, source–detector coupling, dispersion, and optical loss.
• Ability to build and troubleshoot delicate optical setups and read experimental noise and drift.
• Comfort with Python or MATLAB, and optical modeling tools suited to the problem.
• Exposure to micro-optics, integrated photonics, fiber packaging, or biomedical photonics is useful.

What good work looks like

A characterized fiber-photonic prototype with quantified efficiency, stability, and an evidence-based path to further integration.

Why this work matters

Make optical sensing work under the physical constraints that matter outside a laboratory demonstration.

Get in touch

Send us your CV, your personal website or examples of work you have done, particularly a photonic or fiber optic instrument you built, modeled or measured. Include an informal handwritten statement of purpose, with no prescribed length, telling us why this mission matters to you, what difficult work has taught you, and what you would like to take responsibility for at Walnut. This mission will demand scientific rigor, patience, independent thinking and a willingness to test ideas against reality. Write the statement entirely in your own words, without using generative AI. We will not consider statements written using AI. A photograph or scan of the statement is sufficient, and a typed version is welcome if handwriting is difficult. A reference from someone who knows your work is welcome, but not required.