Electrical Engineer

hQphotonics (hQp) is a start-up company formed by researchers from the California Institute of Technology. hQp is a leader in developing and commercializing state-of-the art, ultra-low phase noise microwave oscillators using photonics approaches. Its current products are used in a range of applications including communications, test and measurement, and sensing. hQp is located in the beautiful and historic city of Arcadia in southern California.

Duties and responsibilities:

We’re hiring full-time Electrical Engineers to design precision and low noise electronics that control and read out our integrated photonic devices and systems. You’ll own boards from concept through schematic, layout, bring-up, and testing, working across analog, RF, and embedded domains. You’ll collaborate closely with our engineering teams to turn lab prototypes into robust, deployable products.

What You’ll Do

• Design PCB level RF circuits for next-generation integrated microwave photonic systems and optoelectronic systems
• Develop and implement embedded systems using microcontrollers or FPGAs for device control and communication
• Take boards through the full development cycle: requirements, schematic capture, circuit simulation and analysis, PCB layout, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, and test.
• Perform test and measurement using oscilloscopes, spectrum and network analyzers, signal generators, and power supplies
• Address signal integrity, noise, thermal, and EMI considerations in board designs
• Document designs, test procedures, and results to support iteration and production

Requirements:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related Engineering field with relevant professional experience.
• Hands-on experience with the full PCB design process: schematic, analysis, layout, debugging, test and measurement
• Strong fundamentals in RF and digital circuits
• Proficiency with PCB design ECAD tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro/OrCAD, KiCad, or similar)
• Excellent time and task management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated, high energy and team spirit.

Preferred:

• Experience with electronics for photonic systems (e.g., photodetector readout and amplification, RF frequency conversion, phase lock loops, etc).
• FPGA-based programming and design
• Publication record in electrical engineering journals or related fields.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits.