Senior Test Development Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Test Development Engineer roles are among the more straightforward H-1B specialty occupation cases, the degree requirement in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field is well-established, and employers in semiconductor, aerospace, and defense routinely sponsor. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Voyant
Voyant Photonics, based in the heart of New York City, is transforming machine perception with a new class of LiDAR devices that are compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand and powerful enough to measure range, velocity, and reflectivity with unparalleled accuracy. By leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonic chips smaller than your fingertip, we deliver sensors that are not only revolutionary in performance but also affordable enough to integrate into any system. Our technology disrupts the status quo of bulky, expensive, and power-hungry LiDAR systems, making high-precision sensing accessible for widespread adoption in robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial automation, and beyond.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Production Test Engineer to lead the development and implementation of scalable, high-throughput test infrastructure for end-of-line testing for our integrated LiDAR sensor. You will be responsible for engineering and developing robust test methodologies with the goal of mass production for our LiDAR units. This is a highly cross-functional role working closely with Systems, Photonics, Electrical, Firmware, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to ensure performance, yield, and reliability from prototype to volume production.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement end-of-line (EOL) test strategies for LiDAR sensors, validating system-level performance (range, velocity, reflectivity, etc.).
- Develop automated test fixtures and software to support both in-line and EOL testing in a production setting.
- Translate lab-level validation methods into robust and scalable production tests across optical, electrical, and mixed-signal domains.
- Partner with external contract manufacturers and test vendors to stand up and scale production test infrastructure; support factory bring-up and operator training.
- Drive test coverage, throughput, and cost optimization in both low- and medium-volume manufacturing.
- Lead root cause investigations for test failures across the stack and work cross-functionally to implement fixes.
- Own and continuously improve statistical process control (SPC), yield tracking, and test data analytics across the production lifecycle.
- Support reliability and environmental testing (e.g. thermal cycling, vibration, shock) for product qualification.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in production test engineering with a focus on LiDAR systems or optical sensors.
- Proven expertise in system-level testing for LiDAR, imaging, or other complex optical systems.
- Hands-on experience developing and deploying automated test setups (Python preferred), including test instrumentation and DAQ systems.
- Proven track record in statistical process control, yield analysis, and high-volume data-driven decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience owning test strategy and implementation in a manufacturing or pilot-line environment.
- Experience interfacing with contract manufacturers and external test vendors.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with test and validation FMCW LiDAR or coherent optical systems.
- Exposure to MES systems, manufacturing analytics platforms, or test data infrastructure.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and meaningful equity package
- Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- Unlimited PTO and paid company holidays
- Team events and company meetups
- Hybrid or remote work environment with monthly travel for remote employees.
- Complimentary lunch provided daily at our NYC office
Equal Opportunity Employer
Voyant Photonics is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About Voyant
Voyant Photonics, based in the heart of New York City, is transforming machine perception with a new class of LiDAR devices that are compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand and powerful enough to measure range, velocity, and reflectivity with unparalleled accuracy. By leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonic chips smaller than your fingertip, we deliver sensors that are not only revolutionary in performance but also affordable enough to integrate into any system. Our technology disrupts the status quo of bulky, expensive, and power-hungry LiDAR systems, making high-precision sensing accessible for widespread adoption in robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial automation, and beyond.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Production Test Engineer to lead the development and implementation of scalable, high-throughput test infrastructure for end-of-line testing for our integrated LiDAR sensor. You will be responsible for engineering and developing robust test methodologies with the goal of mass production for our LiDAR units. This is a highly cross-functional role working closely with Systems, Photonics, Electrical, Firmware, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to ensure performance, yield, and reliability from prototype to volume production.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement end-of-line (EOL) test strategies for LiDAR sensors, validating system-level performance (range, velocity, reflectivity, etc.).
- Develop automated test fixtures and software to support both in-line and EOL testing in a production setting.
- Translate lab-level validation methods into robust and scalable production tests across optical, electrical, and mixed-signal domains.
- Partner with external contract manufacturers and test vendors to stand up and scale production test infrastructure; support factory bring-up and operator training.
- Drive test coverage, throughput, and cost optimization in both low- and medium-volume manufacturing.
- Lead root cause investigations for test failures across the stack and work cross-functionally to implement fixes.
- Own and continuously improve statistical process control (SPC), yield tracking, and test data analytics across the production lifecycle.
- Support reliability and environmental testing (e.g. thermal cycling, vibration, shock) for product qualification.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in production test engineering with a focus on LiDAR systems or optical sensors.
- Proven expertise in system-level testing for LiDAR, imaging, or other complex optical systems.
- Hands-on experience developing and deploying automated test setups (Python preferred), including test instrumentation and DAQ systems.
- Proven track record in statistical process control, yield analysis, and high-volume data-driven decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience owning test strategy and implementation in a manufacturing or pilot-line environment.
- Experience interfacing with contract manufacturers and external test vendors.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with test and validation FMCW LiDAR or coherent optical systems.
- Exposure to MES systems, manufacturing analytics platforms, or test data infrastructure.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and meaningful equity package
- Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- Unlimited PTO and paid company holidays
- Team events and company meetups
- Hybrid or remote work environment with monthly travel for remote employees.
- Complimentary lunch provided daily at our NYC office
Equal Opportunity Employer
Voyant Photonics is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Test Development Engineer
Target industries with established sponsorship pipelines
Semiconductor, aerospace, defense, and automotive companies sponsor Senior Test Development Engineers regularly. These industries file LCAs in volume, which means their HR and legal teams already know the H-1B process and won't treat your visa as a special project.
Lead with your hardware and software stack
Employers evaluating sponsorship risk want to see specialized skills that justify the investment. Highlight specific platforms like LabVIEW, NI TestStand, or ATE systems upfront, this signals you're a narrow specialist, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument.
Understand the LCA before your offer stage
Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with the DOL before petitioning USCIS. It certifies the role's prevailing wage and working conditions. Knowing this process helps you ask informed questions during negotiations and signals you're not a sponsorship novice.
Use your OPT period to build a targeted employer list
If you're on F-1 OPT, use that window to identify companies that have previously sponsored Test Development Engineers via public LCA disclosure data. Applying to known sponsors dramatically improves your odds before the H-1B cap deadline approaches.
Frame your degree field precisely on your resume
USCIS evaluates whether your degree field directly relates to Test Development Engineering. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and systems engineering are the strongest matches. If your degree is adjacent, a credentials evaluation letter can help close the gap.
Don't overlook cap-exempt employers
Universities, nonprofits affiliated with research institutions, and certain government contractors are exempt from the H-1B annual cap and lottery. Test development roles exist in these settings, and a cap-exempt petition can be filed at any time of year.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Test Development Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, consistently. USCIS treats Test Development Engineer roles as specialty occupations when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a directly related field. Generic engineering degrees without field alignment can complicate the case, so your resume and the employer's job description both need to reflect specific technical requirements, not just broad engineering knowledge.
Which visa types are realistic for Senior Test Development Engineers beyond H-1B?
The O-1A is an option if you have published research, patents, or significant industry recognition, some senior engineers in specialized ATE or semiconductor testing fields qualify. Australian citizens can use the E-3, which has no lottery and a far shorter processing timeline. Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN status under the engineer category. Each path has different employer filing requirements and timelines worth understanding before you apply.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor Test Development Engineers?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this, it aggregates visa-sponsoring employers and filters by role type, so you're not manually sorting through job postings that never mention sponsorship. Outside of that, public LCA disclosure data from the Department of Labor shows which companies have filed for Test Development Engineer roles in the past, giving you a concrete list of proven sponsors to target directly.
Does my degree field matter, or is any engineering degree sufficient for H-1B sponsorship in this role?
Field alignment matters more than most applicants expect. USCIS looks for a direct relationship between your degree and the specific duties of the role. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and systems engineering are the strongest fits for Test Development Engineering. A general mechanical engineering degree may require additional documentation, a credential evaluation or a supporting letter from the employer explaining the connection between the coursework and the job's technical demands.
How long does H-1B sponsorship take for this type of role, and what can slow it down?
Standard H-1B processing for a new cap-subject petition runs three to five months after USCIS receives the petition, which itself can't be filed until April 1 for an October 1 start date. Premium processing cuts USCIS adjudication to 15 business days. What slows things down: a Request for Evidence challenging specialty occupation, delays in the employer getting the LCA certified, or administrative processing at the consulate if you're applying from abroad. Roles with vague or overly broad job descriptions draw more RFEs.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior Test Development Engineer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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