Senior Fiber Optic Engineer / Researcher
(Fiber Interferometry & Optical Sensors)
Location: Somerville, MA (Hybrid / On-site preferred)
Employment Type: Full-time
Level: Senior / Principal (commensurate with experience)
Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior Fiber Optic Engineer / Researcher with deep expertise in fiber-optic interferometry and optical sensing systems to lead the design, development, and validation of next-generation fiber-based sensors. This role combines hands-on experimental work, theoretical modeling, and system-level engineering, with direct impact on real-world deployments.
The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between fundamental physics, optical system design, and field-ready engineering, and thrives in a small, highly technical R&D environment.
Key Responsibilities
Optical & Sensor Development
- Design and analyze fiber-optic interferometric systems (e.g., Mach–Zehnder, Michelson, Fabry–Perot, distributed sensing).
- Develop high-sensitivity fiber-based sensors (acoustic, seismic, strain, temperature, or related modalities).
- Optimize optical architectures for noise performance, stability, bandwidth, and environmental robustness.
- Specify and evaluate lasers, modulators, detectors, and passive fiber components.
Modeling, Signal Processing & Analysis
- Model optical systems using analytical methods and numerical tools (e.g., Jones matrices, polarization effects, phase noise).
- Analyze interferometric signals and noise sources (laser phase noise, polarization fading, thermal drift).
- Collaborate on or implement DSP pipelines for sensor signal extraction and denoising.
Prototyping & Experimental Work
- Build, align, and characterize optical setups in the lab.
- Design and execute experiments to validate sensor performance.
- Lead system integration from optical bench to packaged prototype.
Collaboration & Leadership
- Work closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and DSP engineers.
- Mentor junior engineers and researchers.
- Contribute to technical documentation, invention disclosures, and patent filings.
- Contribute to proposals and reports for R&D contracts and sponsored research programs.
- Support field tests and performance evaluations when required.
Required Qualifications
- PhD or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years (industry) or equivalent post-PhD experience in fiber-optic sensing or interferometry.
- Strong background in:
- Fiber-optic interferometers
- Coherent optical detection
- Phase-sensitive measurements
- Hands-on experience with fiber components, splicing, and optical test equipment.
- Solid analytical skills and comfort with mathematical modeling.
- Ability to work independently and drive complex technical problems to resolution.
- This position requires access to information that is subject to stringent controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent residents, persons granted asylee status in the U.S., or persons admitted into the U.S. as a refugee. MagiQ is unable to sponsor any visas for applicants to this position.
Preferred / Nice-to-Have Qualifications
- Experience with distributed fiber sensing (DAS, DVS, DTS, etc.).
- Knowledge of polarization effects, PMD, and mitigation strategies.
- Familiarity with FPGA-based or real-time signal processing.
- Experience transitioning R&D systems toward manufacturable products.
- Prior work in energy, geophysics, defense, or harsh-environment sensing.
- Experience managing R&D programs (grants, government or commercial contracts, or internal R&D programs).
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge fiber-optic sensor technology with real-world impact.
- High technical autonomy and ownership.
- Competitive compensation and equity participation (where applicable).
- Collaborative, deeply technical team environment.
- Located in Somerville, MA, near Boston’s academic and technology ecosystem.
How to Apply
Please email a resume and cover letter to careers@magiqtech.com with the subject line “Senior Fiber Optic Engineer.” Due to the volume of applications expected, we will only contact selected candidates.