{"id":1749531,"url":"https://alion.io/job/darwin-recruitment-systems-engineer-optical-communications","title":"Systems Engineer Optical Communications","company":{"id":2211481,"name":"Darwin Recruitment","domain":"darwinrecruitment.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/darwinrecruitment","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":null,"truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":6,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"middle","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"inferred","locations":[],"countries":[],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"BERT","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-08T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-20","last_verified_at":"2026-10-03T16:17:12Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":40,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":40},"description":"R&D Systems Engineer - Optical Communications\nPosition Summary\nWe are seeking an R&D Systems Engineer to join an innovative engineering team developing advanced electro-optical technologies for next-generation communication applications.\nThe successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and executing validation activities to characterize the performance of high-speed electro-optical devices throughout the product development lifecycle. This role requires a hands-on engineer who can develop meaningful test methodologies, evaluate device performance under realistic operating conditions, and identify potential integration risks before deployment into larger communication systems.\nWorking closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will investigate device behavior, analyze performance limitations, and provide data-driven recommendations to improve product performance, manufacturability, and reliability. Success in this role requires a strong understanding of telecom transmission principles, high-speed measurements, and a systems-level approach to problem solving.\nKey Responsibilities\nDevelop and execute test plans to verify functionality, performance, robustness, and interoperability.\n\nDefine and implement system-level validation strategies for high-speed communication products.\n\nDesign innovative test methodologies to evaluate product performance under realistic operating conditions.\n\nBuild and configure laboratory test environments representative of end-user applications.\n\nEvaluate system performance before and after integration into complete communication platforms.\n\nAnalyze measurement results, identify performance limitations, and perform root-cause investigations.\n\nRecommend product and system improvements based on validation findings.\n\nDevelop automated test procedures to improve repeatability, efficiency, and data quality.\n\nProduce clear technical documentation, including test methodologies, results, and recommendations.\n\nSupport investigation of field issues by replicating customer environments and validating corrective actions where required.\n\nRequired Qualifications\nMaster’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related discipline.\n\n3-8 years of experience in telecom system validation, R&D testing of electro-optical devices, or communication systems engineering.\n\nStrong understanding of digital communication systems and telecom architectures.\n\nExperience testing complex electronic, photonic, or communication products at the system level.\n\nHands-on experience with laboratory equipment such as:\nVector Network Analyzers (VNA)\n\nHigh-speed Oscilloscopes\n\nBit Error Rate Testers (BERT)\n\nSpectrum Analyzers\n\nSignal Generators\n\nOptical and/or RF measurement equipment\n\nExperience developing and executing structured test plans.\n\nStrong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigation skills.\n\nExperience with Python, LabVIEW, TestStand, MATLAB, or similar tools for test automation and data analysis.\n\nExcellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate within cross-functional, international teams.\n\nFluent in English.\n\nWillingness to travel when required.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with coherent or high-speed communication systems.\n\nKnowledge of modulation techniques and signal integrity.\n\nUnderstanding of transceiver architectures and subsystem interactions.\n\nFamiliarity with telecom standards and communication protocols.\n\nExperience with interoperability and integration testing.\n\nExposure to automated test frameworks and continuous validation methodologies.\n\nWhat We’re Looking For\nWe’re looking for an engineer who is naturally curious and enjoys understanding how complex communication systems perform in real-world environments.\nThe ideal candidate doesn’t simply execute predefined test procedures but actively asks:\nWhat could fail when this product is integrated into a larger system?\n\nWhich operating conditions have not yet been explored?\n\nHow can potential issues be identified before deployment?\n\nThis role is ideal for someone with a strong analytical mindset, excellent problem-solving skills, and a passion for developing robust, reliable products through thorough system-level validation.\nDarwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.\nSindi Ngubane","description_format":"text","description_chars":4370,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"English","level":"Advanced (C1)","optional":false}]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Optical Communications","Biotechnology","Recruiting & Staffing","Employer of Record & PEO"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-03T07:59:00Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":20,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":0.7,"p_active":0.633,"p_room":0.45,"age_days":39,"expected_fill_days":21,"reasons":["conf:325","urgency","velocity","win:tail","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/darwin-recruitment-systems-engineer-optical-communications","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/darwin-recruitment-systems-engineer-optical-communications.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-18T15:20:41Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people 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