RF Design and Test Engineer

Job Description

Lightwave Logic – RF Design and Test Engineer

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Company: Lightwave Logic (Nasdaq: LWLG)

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Location: Englewood, Colorado

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Job Type: Full-time

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Compensation: $115,000 - $160,000

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Lightwave Logic (Nasdaq: LWLG) is a publicly traded materials development company that is conducting cutting-edge work to commercialize its proprietary organic nonlinear polymers for a variety of electro-optic devices and pushing the state of the art in high-speed fiber-optic telecom and data communications. Our development roadmap is designed to disrupt the industry by introducing organic modulators and related photonic integrated circuits that offer superior speed, lower power consumption, and smaller size compared to current technologies. Our materials are extendable into other applications, including sensors and quantum computing.

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Overview

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The RF Design and Test Engineer supports the design, prototyping, characterization, packaging, and reliability of RF and photonic devices based on electro-optic polymer technology. This role focuses on the design, simulation, testing, and optimization of high-frequency RF and millimeter-wave (mmWave) photonic devices operating from DC to beyond 110 GHz, including integrated photonic modulators, while partnering with cross-functional teams across device design, fabrication, and process development. The role involves developing and executing advanced RF and electro-optical measurement methodologies, optimizing calibration techniques, and leveraging simulation and programming tools to automate data acquisition and validate performance. It requires hands-on expertise with precision instrumentation, strong attention to detail, and manual dexterity in handling delicate devices, along with the ability to analyze and correlate experimental results to drive continuous improvement in device performance and measurement techniques.

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Responsibilities

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RF & Electro-Optic Characterization

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• Execute Characterization: Perform broadband Vector Network Analysis (VNA) of passive and active electronic and photonic devices across frequencies spanning DC to over 110 GHz.
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• High-Speed Measurement: Conduct frequency and time-domain, high-speed signal measurements using BERTs, DSPs, and electrical drivers on electro-optical devices across a wide frequency range (DC – 130 GHz, 400Gb/s).
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• Calibration Kit Development: Design, optimize, and refine on-wafer and device-level calibration kits (e.g., mTRL, SOLT, and LRM) for broad-band loss tangent and relative permittivity.
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• Instrumentation Setup: Develop and optimize experimental setups for Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) and electro-optical high-speed measurements.
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Design, Layout & Simulation

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• Modulator Optimization: Design and optimize integrated broadband, high-speed photonic modulators, preferably utilizing silicon photonics platforms.
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• GDSII Layout Design: Create GDSII layouts for RF and mmW device fabrication, and manage advanced DRC and LVS checks for fabless commercialization efforts.
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• Foundry Coordination: Interface with the internal and external fabrication teams and major foundries to successfully coordinate device tape-outs and contribute to process development in clean-room environments when required.
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• Simulation & Modeling: Utilize HFSS for 3D electromagnetic modeling, CST, and ADS for circuit simulations to hit target device performance. Understanding photonic simulations in CST, Lumerical, and COMSOL is a plus.
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Automation & Data Analysis

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• Test Automation: Extend, optimize, and troubleshoot Python and LabVIEW-based scripts for automated data acquisition, instrument control, and processing.
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• Data Documentation: Maintain rigorous documentation of measurement methodologies and utilize JMP or MATLAB for advanced statistical data analysis and visualization.
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Qualifications

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Education & Experience

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• Degree: M.S. (required) or Ph.D. (strongly preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related discipline with a heavy emphasis on RF/mmW design, simulation, and testing.
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• Testing Track Record: 3+ years of hands-on experience in RF calibration, VNA-based testing (100+ GHz), and high-speed BERT measurements.
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• Design Experience: 3+ years of experience in physical-layer RF design and simulation in FEM and FDTD methods (HFSS, ADS, CST, COMSOL, or Lumerical), preferably in silicon photonics.
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• Domain Knowledge: A solid foundational understanding of electro-optic polymer physics.
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Core Attributes & Soft Skills

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• Precision & Dexterity: Exceptional fine motor skills and patience required to handle fragile chips, semiconductor wafers, and optical fibers.
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• Attention to Detail: Ability to meticulously follow precise experimental recipes and rigorously document environmental conditions.
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• Scientific Communication: Strong ability to synthesize complex experimental results into clear, concise technical presentations with highly effective data plotting.
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Benefits

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Lightwave Logic offers a highly competitive compensation package including stock options, as well as comprehensive benefits including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage (employee and family), a generous PTO policy, $500/year(prorated) company contribution to your medical FSA, and a 401K (safe harbor,4% match).

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EEO Statement

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