HT
Optical Engineer
Accepting applicationsHeadway Technologies · Milpitas, CA
Full-Time Associate AI
Posted
3d ago
Category
Manufacturing
Experience
Associate
Country
United States
TITLE: OPTICAL ENGINEER
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT
REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR, ADVANCED HAMR HEAD DESIGNS
SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Director of Advanced HAMR Head Designs, the Optical Engineer is responsible for the design, innovation, characterization, and improvement of advanced optical delivery systems for HAMR heads. This role focuses on developing and maturing next-generation optical architectures that improve optical coupling efficiency, field confinement, thermal robustness, and manufacturability of HAMR devices.
The engineer will lead and support innovative optical concept development, perform advanced optical modeling and simulation, drive experimental validation, and collaborate closely with process, test, metrology, and product engineering teams to translate new optical ideas into scalable product solutions. The ideal candidate is a strong technical innovator who can combine theory, simulation, experimentation, and practical engineering judgment to advance HAMR technology. This position is located in Milpitas, CA.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Develop and evaluate innovative optical design concepts for HAMR light delivery systems, including waveguides, tapers, couplers, mode converters, and surface plasmon excitation
Perform advanced optical simulations using tools such as Lumerical, Tidy3D, and COMSOL to model field propagation, coupling efficiency, loss mechanisms, mode behavior, and design tradeoffs
Apply inverse design, computational photonics, and optimization methods to explore new design spaces and develop optical structures that improve coupling efficiency, reduce loss, and enhance field confinement
Investigate and optimize new optical architectures to improve energy delivery to the NFT while reducing optical loss, reducing footprint, and improving robustness to manufacturing variation
Use simulation and experimental data to identify opportunities for new material or geometry combinations, and performance improvements in current and future HAMR platforms
Maintain current optical instrumentation and develop new metrologies and characterization methods for HAMR heads and related components
Partner with the process engineering group to define, execute, and track experiments that mature emerging optical concepts toward product integration
Coordinate with the testing group to characterize the laser diode, light path, waveguide behavior, and NFT performance, and translate findings into actionable design changes.
Conduct failure analysis of the light delivery system and perform FMEA
Analyze testing and failure analysis data to guide the design direction of HAMR heads and support technology development roadmaps
Collaborate with various teams in the US, Japan, and China regarding product development and technical alignment
Provide updates on projects, including analysis of data and results; draw conclusions, present findings, and recommend appropriate action.
Present technical findings, innovation proposals, and design recommendations to engineering and management stakeholders
Support invention disclosures, technical reports, and other documentation related to novel optical design concepts
Adhere to all safety policies and procedures as required
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree in Optical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics and/or equivalent relevant experience; PhD preferred
Two years of experience working in optics, Plasmonics, silicon photonics, optical chip design, or similar field
Knowledge of or hands’ on experience with laser package design and assembly
Experience of hands-on optical testing, including transmittance, reflectance and far field diffraction.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge and experience leveraging generative AI tools such as Claude or ChatGPT to accelerate data analysis, coding, troubleshooting, research, and documentation, with the ability to review and validate outputs effectively
Knowledge of semiconductor, HDD, or wafer manufacturing industry principles, practices, and techniques
Knowledge and ability to track projects of various scope and complexity, including concept design, assembly, executive, and interpretation of results
Knowledge and ability to use various failure analysis techniques and instrumentation such as TEM, EELS, EDS, SIMS, XPS, etc.
Knowledge and ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and management
Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office applications to create spreadsheets, Word documents, and presentations
Knowledge and ability to present concepts and findings effectively
Ability to perform modeling and simulations using various software applications
Ability to work independently and collaborate with team members
Able to comply with all safety policies and procedures
Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
Demonstrated problem-solving and trouble shooting skills
Flexible and able to prioritize
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The Optical Engineer works primarily in an office environment from Monday thru Friday. The schedule may be altered from time-to-time to meet business or operational needs; may travel from building-to-building as needed. May also work in an ESD sensitive laboratory or testing environment; adheres to required safety and dress standards. May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, fumes, or vapors and excessive noise from time-to-time; stands and walks; performs various fine grasping movements, bends, and twists; operates a computer and enters information using a keyboard, operates a telephone, and other office equipment. May occasionally be required to push, pull, or lift up to 10 pounds.
The annual base salary for this full-time position is between $120,819.00-$177,675.00 + bonus target + benefits. Within the range the individual pay may differ depending on additional factors including job responsibilities, job related knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience. The annual base pay range shown is subject to change and may be modified periodically.
*Other duties of a similar nature or level are duties that may be required, but may not be specifically listed in the job description or posting.
TDK/Headway Technologies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Applicants requiring accommodation in order to complete the application process should contact the Headway Human Resources Department.
Show more Show less
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT
REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR, ADVANCED HAMR HEAD DESIGNS
SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Director of Advanced HAMR Head Designs, the Optical Engineer is responsible for the design, innovation, characterization, and improvement of advanced optical delivery systems for HAMR heads. This role focuses on developing and maturing next-generation optical architectures that improve optical coupling efficiency, field confinement, thermal robustness, and manufacturability of HAMR devices.
The engineer will lead and support innovative optical concept development, perform advanced optical modeling and simulation, drive experimental validation, and collaborate closely with process, test, metrology, and product engineering teams to translate new optical ideas into scalable product solutions. The ideal candidate is a strong technical innovator who can combine theory, simulation, experimentation, and practical engineering judgment to advance HAMR technology. This position is located in Milpitas, CA.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Develop and evaluate innovative optical design concepts for HAMR light delivery systems, including waveguides, tapers, couplers, mode converters, and surface plasmon excitation
Perform advanced optical simulations using tools such as Lumerical, Tidy3D, and COMSOL to model field propagation, coupling efficiency, loss mechanisms, mode behavior, and design tradeoffs
Apply inverse design, computational photonics, and optimization methods to explore new design spaces and develop optical structures that improve coupling efficiency, reduce loss, and enhance field confinement
Investigate and optimize new optical architectures to improve energy delivery to the NFT while reducing optical loss, reducing footprint, and improving robustness to manufacturing variation
Use simulation and experimental data to identify opportunities for new material or geometry combinations, and performance improvements in current and future HAMR platforms
Maintain current optical instrumentation and develop new metrologies and characterization methods for HAMR heads and related components
Partner with the process engineering group to define, execute, and track experiments that mature emerging optical concepts toward product integration
Coordinate with the testing group to characterize the laser diode, light path, waveguide behavior, and NFT performance, and translate findings into actionable design changes.
Conduct failure analysis of the light delivery system and perform FMEA
Analyze testing and failure analysis data to guide the design direction of HAMR heads and support technology development roadmaps
Collaborate with various teams in the US, Japan, and China regarding product development and technical alignment
Provide updates on projects, including analysis of data and results; draw conclusions, present findings, and recommend appropriate action.
Present technical findings, innovation proposals, and design recommendations to engineering and management stakeholders
Support invention disclosures, technical reports, and other documentation related to novel optical design concepts
Adhere to all safety policies and procedures as required
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree in Optical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics and/or equivalent relevant experience; PhD preferred
Two years of experience working in optics, Plasmonics, silicon photonics, optical chip design, or similar field
Knowledge of or hands’ on experience with laser package design and assembly
Experience of hands-on optical testing, including transmittance, reflectance and far field diffraction.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge and experience leveraging generative AI tools such as Claude or ChatGPT to accelerate data analysis, coding, troubleshooting, research, and documentation, with the ability to review and validate outputs effectively
Knowledge of semiconductor, HDD, or wafer manufacturing industry principles, practices, and techniques
Knowledge and ability to track projects of various scope and complexity, including concept design, assembly, executive, and interpretation of results
Knowledge and ability to use various failure analysis techniques and instrumentation such as TEM, EELS, EDS, SIMS, XPS, etc.
Knowledge and ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and management
Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office applications to create spreadsheets, Word documents, and presentations
Knowledge and ability to present concepts and findings effectively
Ability to perform modeling and simulations using various software applications
Ability to work independently and collaborate with team members
Able to comply with all safety policies and procedures
Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
Demonstrated problem-solving and trouble shooting skills
Flexible and able to prioritize
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The Optical Engineer works primarily in an office environment from Monday thru Friday. The schedule may be altered from time-to-time to meet business or operational needs; may travel from building-to-building as needed. May also work in an ESD sensitive laboratory or testing environment; adheres to required safety and dress standards. May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, fumes, or vapors and excessive noise from time-to-time; stands and walks; performs various fine grasping movements, bends, and twists; operates a computer and enters information using a keyboard, operates a telephone, and other office equipment. May occasionally be required to push, pull, or lift up to 10 pounds.
The annual base salary for this full-time position is between $120,819.00-$177,675.00 + bonus target + benefits. Within the range the individual pay may differ depending on additional factors including job responsibilities, job related knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience. The annual base pay range shown is subject to change and may be modified periodically.
*Other duties of a similar nature or level are duties that may be required, but may not be specifically listed in the job description or posting.
TDK/Headway Technologies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Applicants requiring accommodation in order to complete the application process should contact the Headway Human Resources Department.
Show more Show less