Photonics Engineer Jobs in California
Photonics Engineer jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in defense and aerospace systems, semiconductor and laser manufacturing, and biomedical photonics, with openings from entry-level design roles through principal and staff engineer positions. The largest hiring hubs are San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Lockheed Martin, II-VI Incorporated, and Lumentum maintain significant engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties are fiber optics, lidar systems, and optical communications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Lookin
Lookin builds terahertz imaging and spectroscopy systems, technology that can look inside materials without touching or damaging them. We are an early-stage company taking this technology from lab prototypes to products that customers use, with a platform built around plasmonic photoconductive antennas for terahertz time-domain systems.
Our work is supported by U.S. government research programs and collaborations with leading research institutions, and we are now moving into customer pilots. You will join a small team where your work ships, and where hardware, optics and software are built side by side.
About the Role
Lookin is hiring a Hardware Engineer to build and improve the devices and optical systems at the heart of our products. You will fabricate terahertz sources and detectors in the cleanroom, build and align the optical setups that test them, and help turn prototypes into systems that work in front of customers. You will see the whole chain from wafer to demo.
Key Responsibilities
- Fabricate and process terahertz sources and detectors in a cleanroom, including lithography, thin-film deposition, etching and backend processing such as dicing and packaging.
- Build, align and troubleshoot free-space and fiber-coupled optical setups.
- Help build prototypes and products, including electronics and PCB work.
- Run experiments, collect data, and analyze results using Python or similar tools.
- Document setups and procedures so results are repeatable.
- Support customer pilots, including joining demos and helping troubleshoot.
- Work with our software and hardware team to improve measurement systems and automation.
Required qualifications
- MS or higher in Electrical Engineering, Optics/Photonics, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience in at least one of the following, with willingness to learn the other (experience in both is ideal):
– Optical lab work: setups and alignment, free-space and fiber-coupled.
– Cleanroom micro/nano fabrication: lithography, thin-film deposition and etching.
- Experience analyzing experimental data.
- Working knowledge of Python and C++. Our software is built on them, but expert level is not required.
- Comfortable with lab instruments such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, power supplies, etc.
- Initiative and enthusiasm for working in a startup.
- Willingness to join customer pilot demos, with occasional travel.
A Plus
- Experience with PCB design.
- Experience with ultrafast lasers.
- Optical design experience, including designing optics.
- Experience with device packaging or wire bonding.
- Familiarity with CAD (such as SolidWorks), MATLAB, or instrument control and automation.
Why Lookin
- Whole-chain ownership:You will own devices from fabrication to demo, instead of one slice of a large system.
- Work that ships:Customer pilots are underway, so what you build gets used soon.
- Small team, real influence:You will work directly with other engineers and the co-founders, with no layers between you and the decisions that matter.
- Room to learn:Strong in optics but new to the cleanroom, or the reverse? We hire for curiosity and hands-on skill, and you will learn the other side here.
Location
This role is based in Culver City, CA, and requires on-site work in our lab.
Compensation
Pay: $120,000 to $140,000 per year, based on experience.
Work Authorization
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship.
Lookin is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 46 Photonics Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Photonics Engineer JobsPhotonics Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Photonics Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Manufacturing
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in photonics engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in photonics, optical engineering, or physics required
- Hands-on experience with laser systems, fiber optic components, or optical bench setups
- Proficiency in optical design software such as Zemax or CODE V
- Experience in characterization and testing of photonic devices or integrated circuits
- Familiarity with cleanroom fabrication processes and thin-film deposition techniques
- Strong background in signal processing, MATLAB, or Python for optical system modeling
Photonics Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a photonics engineer in California?
Most photonics engineer roles in California require at least a bachelor's degree in optical engineering, applied physics, or electrical engineering with a photonics concentration, and many senior positions expect a master's or PhD. California does not have a state-issued license specific to photonics engineering, but roles in defense and aerospace often require a federal security clearance, and candidates working in medical device photonics may encounter FDA-regulated quality system requirements through their employer.
How much do photonics engineers make in California?
Photonics engineers in California earn a median of about $160,520 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,140 for the lowest 10% to over $225,400 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire photonics engineers in California?
Employers hiring photonics engineers in California right now include Coherent, LYTE, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, semiconductor fabs, and lidar-focused technology companies means demand is spread across both large system integrators and well-funded startups in the Silicon Valley and San Diego corridors.
Which California cities have the most photonics engineer jobs?
The California cities with the most photonics engineer openings are Santa Clara, Fremont, and San Jose. San Jose and the broader Silicon Valley anchor the optical communications and integrated photonics segment, while San Diego draws heavily from defense and biomedical optics employers, and Los Angeles supports a mix of aerospace system contractors and lidar technology firms.
Are there remote photonics engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Photonics engineering is fundamentally a lab and hardware discipline, so most roles require on-site access to optical benches, cleanrooms, or test equipment. About 67% of photonics engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and the positions most likely to offer flexibility are those focused on optical system modeling, simulation, or documentation rather than device fabrication and testing.
How can I get hired as a photonics engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a university research lab or a new-graduate program at a California defense or photonics manufacturer. Large California employers such as Lockheed Martin and Lumentum regularly bring in new graduates for junior optical engineering roles, and the state's density of UC and CSU campuses means co-op and internship pipelines into those companies are well established. Candidates without direct photonics experience who hold adjacent roles in electrical engineering or materials science can move laterally by building a portfolio of Zemax or optical bench projects and pursuing SPIE student membership for credibility.
Where can I find and apply to photonics engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to photonics engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across defense, semiconductor, biomedical, and telecommunications employers. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 46 Photonics Engineer Jobs in California
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