Systems Engineer - Opto-Electronics

Systems Engineer - Opto-Electronics

Location : Santa Clara, CA

Primarily onsite with occasional remote flexibility

Role Summary :

Picarro is hiring a Systems Engineer - Opto-Electronics in the Bay Area. Join us in developing cutting-edge spectroscopy systems where performance hinges on exceptional analog signal fidelity and embedded control. In this role, you will take full ownership of analog front-end development-including high-speed TIAs, laser drivers, and ADC interfaces-while collaborating closely with FPGA and firmware teams to drive signal integrity and system-level integration. A solid grounding in optical physics and system-level understanding is essential to troubleshoot and optimize performance across optical-electronic boundaries.

Key Responsibilities :

• Design, simulate, and validate analog / mixed-signal circuits (TIAs, laser drivers, ADC / DAC interfaces) for spectroscopy and sensing applications
• Lead schematic capture and PCB layout, applying best practices in SI / PI, impedance control, filtering, and low-noise design
• Identify root causes of noise in photodetector and laser driver circuits-including thermal noise, shot noise, EMI, and layout-induced artifacts-and design mitigation strategies across component, board, and system levels
• Ensure linearity of response in analog front-ends; identify and address sources of nonlinearity such as gain compression, layout parasitics, and power supply coupling
• Collaborate with FPGA and firmware teams on signal capture, synchronization, and control schemes, ensuring tight integration with analog front-ends
• Develop bench setups and perform debug using oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and other tools; automate testing with Python / MATLAB
• Drive root-cause analysis and design iterations to enhance performance, robustness, and manufacturability
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internal best practices in analog and optoelectronic systems development

Qualifications :

Preferred Experience :

The base salary range for this full-time position is $130K to $150K. Our total compensation packages includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity.Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including :

About Picarro :

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters / agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at for assistance.