Position Overview
Palomar Technologies’ Advanced Solutions Division (ASD) provides high-complexity engineering services to microelectronics, semiconductor, photonics, and advanced packaging customers through process development, prototyping, contract manufacturing, training, and process optimization.
ASD is expanding its capabilities in active alignment and optoelectronic assembly through the addition of a newly acquired active alignment system. This equipment will support customer applications involving optical alignment, photonic device assembly, laser-based systems, fiber coupling, optical sensor packaging, and other precision optoelectronic assemblies.
Palomar is seeking a Senior Active Alignment Process Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and commercialization of this new capability within ASD. This role will serve as the primary technical owner for the active alignment platform, including equipment learning, process development, customer engagement, documentation, and internal knowledge transfer.
This is a highly autonomous role intended for an engineer who can pioneer a new process area with limited internal precedent. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in active alignment, optoelectronics, photonics assembly, or related precision optical packaging processes, along with strong customer-facing communication skills and the ability to rapidly learn complex equipment software.
Key Responsibilities
Active Alignment Process Development
- Lead development of active alignment processes for optoelectronic, photonic, laser, sensor, fiber-coupled, and optical module assemblies.
- Translate customer requirements into practical process development plans, including alignment strategy, test feedback method, process sequence, inspection approach, and risk mitigation.
- Develop process parameters for optical coupling, alignment, fixation, adhesive dispense, cure, and post-process verification.
- Identify and control variables affecting optical performance, alignment stability, yield, and repeatability.
- Support feasibility builds, prototypes, process optimization, and low-volume contract manufacturing projects.
Active Alignment Equipment & Process Ownership
- Serve as the internal technical owner for their active alignment system and projects.
- Complete in-depth equipment training directly with the equipment manufacturer and convert that knowledge into usable internal practices.
- Develop, modify, and debug equipment routines, process sequences, and machine workflows.
- Learn and manage the equipment’s software environment, including any script-like or coding-style interface required to operate the system effectively.
- Establish internal best practices for equipment setup, calibration, maintenance coordination, program control, and process transfer.
- Troubleshoot equipment, software, motion, vision, dispense, and test feedback issues as they arise.
Customer-Facing Technical Support
- Serve as the primary technical liaison for active alignment customer inquiries, development programs, and project execution.
- Support Sales and Program Management during technical discovery, feasibility review, quoting, and proposal development.
- Communicate clearly with customers regarding technical requirements, risks, process assumptions, development progress, and recommended paths forward.
- Help customers understand design-for-manufacturability considerations related to active alignment and optoelectronic assembly.
- Build customer confidence in Palomar’s new active alignment capability through professional, technically grounded communication.
Documentation, Training & Knowledge Capture
- Create internal documentation for active alignment processes, machine operation, troubleshooting, calibration checks, and standard work.
- Develop process travelers, set up checklists, inspection criteria, and customer-specific work instructions.
- Capture lessons learned from development programs and convert them into reusable knowledge for future projects.
- Train other ASD engineers and technicians as the capability matures.
- Help establish active alignment as a scalable service offering within ASD.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Process Engineering, Engineering Operations, Program Management, Sales, Quality, and Operations.
- Collaborate with other ASD engineers on related packaging processes such as die attach, dispensing, curing, inspection, and optical/electrical testing.
- Coordinate with external equipment support when needed to resolve machine issues or expand equipment functionality.
- Support ASD’s broader growth strategy by helping convert a new equipment investment into a reliable, revenue-generating capability.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related technical field.
- 5+ years of relevant experience in process engineering, photonics assembly, optoelectronics packaging, precision alignment, or related manufacturing/process development environments.
- Hands-on experience with active alignment, optical alignment, fiber coupling, laser alignment, photonic device packaging, or similar precision optoelectronic assembly processes.
- Familiarity with optoelectronic devices and assemblies such as laser diodes, photodiodes, optical transceivers, photonic integrated circuits, fiber-coupled packages, cameras, sensors, or LiDAR modules.
- Experience working with optical or electrical feedback during alignment or assembly.
- Strong troubleshooting ability across equipment, process, material, software, and measurement variables.
- Demonstrated ability to own complex technical projects with minimal supervision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort working directly with customers.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using or developing processes on active alignment systems from AIXEMTEC, ficonTEC, ASM AMICRA, PI, Newport, Aerotech, or similar platforms.
- Experience with scripting, coding, automation, or software-driven equipment interfaces.
- Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C#, or similar technical programming environments.
- Experience with optical test equipment such as power meters, source meters, beam profilers, cameras, optical spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, or photodiode feedback systems.
- Experience with adhesive dispense, UV cure, thermal cure, cure-shift characterization, or alignment retention studies.
- Background in photonics, optical communications, high-power lasers, LiDAR, imaging systems, or advanced sensor packaging.
- Experience in a high-mix engineering services, NPI, prototyping, or contract manufacturing environment.
- Experience in creating standard work, process documentation, and training materials from new equipment or process capabilities.
Key Competencies
- Active alignment and optical assembly process knowledge.
- Strong equipment learning and troubleshooting ability.
- Software adaptability and comfort with script-like equipment interfaces.
- Customer-facing technical communication.
- High autonomy and ownership.
- Structured problem solving and risk communication.
- Documentation discipline and knowledge capture.
- Ability to operate in ambiguity and build capability from limited precedent.
- Collaborative mindset within a broader engineering team.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 6–12 months, the successful candidate will:
- Become Palomar’s internal technical owner for the AIXEMTEC active alignment system.
- Complete manufacturer training and translate that training into internal operating procedures.
- Develop initial active alignment process templates and equipment set up standards.
- Support the first customer development projects using the system.
- Establish repeatable documentation and troubleshooting practices.
- Help Sales and Program Management assess active alignment opportunities more confidently.
- Build early customer confidence in Palomar’s active alignment capability.
Longer term, success will include:
- Converting active alignment into a reliable ASD service offering.
- Training additional engineers or technicians to support the platform.
- Improving process repeatability, cycle time, and customer outcomes.
- Expanding Palomar’s credibility in photonics and optoelectronic packaging.
If you are interested in this position, please email HR at resumes@bonders.com.