Senior Analog & Optoelectronics Systems Engineer

Senior Analog & Optoelectronics Systems Engineer

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Primarily onsite with occasional remote flexibility

Role Summary:

Picarro is hiring a Senior Analog & Optoelectronics Systems Engineer 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:
* BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field; PhD is a plus
* 7+ years of experience in analog/mixed-signal design with proven impact in instrumentation or sensing systems
* Expertise in ADC/DAC integration, high-speed TIAs, laser drivers, low-jitter clocking, and precision analog front-ends
* Deep knowledge of analog noise sources and mitigation strategies in low-level optical signal detection and laser drive circuits
* Strong grasp of linearity principles in analog design, with experience troubleshooting and correcting nonlinearity in real-world systems
* Proficiency with simulation and modeling tools (SPICE, ADS, HFSS) and hands-on lab instrumentation
* Strong understanding of embedded-electronic-optical system integration and debug
* Proven ability to analyze experimental data rigorously, troubleshoot system issues, and synthesize insights across optical and electrical domains

Preferred Experience:
* Background in optical spectroscopy or high-performance sensing instruments
* Familiarity with FPGA or digital firmware interfaces
* Experience managing thermal/power stability in analog precision systems

The salary range for this role is $170K to $180K annually. Our total compensation package includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity.

About Picarro:

Picarro, Inc. is the world's leading producer of greenhouse gas and optical stable isotope instruments, used in a wide variety of scientific and industrial applications including atmospheric science, air quality, gas leak detection, food safety, hydrology, and ecology. All products are designed and manufactured in our Santa Clara, California headquarters and exported globally. Our solutions, based on proprietary cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology, are unmatched in precision, portability, and reliability.

Picarro has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Innovation Pioneer, and by the U.S. Department of Energy as Small Business of the Year. Our investors include Benchmark Capital Partners, Greylock Management, Stanford University, and NTT Finance.