Optical Validation Engineer, Google Cloud

Google · Sunnyvale, CA, USA

The Optical Validation Team is responsible for supporting the development, new product introduction (NPI), and post-production testing of optical transceivers, switches, and technologies that power Google Cloud Platforms. We test new optical transceiver designs, unit, environmental, and system qualification of transceivers in a wide array of host networking and compute platforms, optical circuit switches (OCS), and transceiver component design at the wafer level.


As an Optical Hardware Validation Engineer, you will play a key role in the development of Google Cloud network infrastructures. You will be asked to perform testing of novel and complex configurations of networking hardware, and collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to configure lab networks and test infrastructure that evaluate and characterize the performance of cloud computing and networking products. You will support lab maintenance, helping with the day-to-day operations with pride in cleanliness, organization, and safety which plays a key role in the rapid development and support of Google’s data center technologies.
Our Platforms Infrastructure Engineering team designs and builds the
hardware and software technologies that power all of Google's services. Our computational challenges are complex and unique, enabled by cutting-edge custom hardware designed and made in-house. As a hardware engineer, you will design and build the systems that are the heart of the world's largest and most powerful computing infrastructure. You will see those systems from concept all the way through to high-volume manufacturing. Your work has the potential to shape the machinery that goes into our cutting-edge data centers, affecting millions of Google users.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $108,000-$153,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Minimum qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 1 year of experience in optical transceivers and testing.
  • Experience with lab test and measurement instrumentation (e.g., fiber optic active and passive devices), and with fiber optics components handling and cleaning.
  • Experience working with compute and networking systems such as physical, functional, logical, mechanical, optics, electrical, software, thermal.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP).
  • Experience with Linux/Unix.
  • Experience with lab test automation frameworks.
  • Experience with data center optical transceiver standards.
  • Knowledge of wafer-level and chip-level probe testing and optical lab automation and scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW).
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