Location: Rochester, NY Category: Engineering Job Type: Full-Time Posted On: Tue Jul 21 2026 Job Description:
Position Summary, Process Development Engineer (Optical Packaging)
AIM Photonics is looking for a Process Development Engineer (Optical Packaging) who will be hands-on working on optical packaging processes including fiber alignment, attachment, mechanical design and polishing. AIM Photonics is one of nine United States Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes which are industry-driven, public-private partnerships that focus on the nation's premiere capabilities and expertise to capture critical global manufacturing leadership. AIM Photonics is headquarters at NY Creates in Albany, NY. The AIM Photonics Test, Assembly, and Packaging facility (TAP) is new state-of-the-art electronic photonic packaging facility in Rochester, NY. Photonics packaging is 90% of the cost of photonic products and can be a differentiator in the success of the final product.
Key Responsibilities
- Fiber and fiber array alignment process development for prototype batches primarily using a ficonTEC machine with active alignment.
- Run DOE experiments to find best machine parameters to achieve successful builds of advanced packages.
- Perform continuous inspection, characterization, and metrology of a process to make sure process is robust.
- Serve as a liaison with marketing, vendors, purchasing and customer on technical information
- Gather and analyze data: Conduct root cause and failure mode analysis to efficiently improve yields and device performance.
- Other reasonable duties assigned.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications, Process Development Engineer (Optical Packaging)
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, engineering physics, or equivalent from a college or University accredited by the USDOE or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
- 3+ years of experience in fabrication, packaging, or semiconductor devices as well as experience in active fiber alignment and fiber attach.
This position is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check.
Preferred Qualifications, Process Development Engineer (Optical Packaging)
- 5+ years experience with optical packaging
- Extensive experience with active alignment
- Experience with both ficonTEC and other alignment tools
- Experience with UV optical epoxies
- Strong understanding of engineering and materials science fundamentals and a demonstrated aptitude to learn.
- Experience in cleanroom, high precision equipment, inspection, and characterization equipment in semiconductor assembly line.
- Experience in back-end assembly process including flip-chip bumping, thermal compression bonding, and solder reflow will be highly desirable.
- Strict discipline to follow rules, specifications, have good attention to details as well as have good organization skills.
- DOE experience is a plus.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
This position is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check.
Don't meet every requirement? At NY Creates we are dedicated to building a welcoming team. If you are excited about working for NY Creates but your experience doesn't exactly align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway, you might still be a perfect fit for this or another role.
Benefits
- Medical, Vision, and Dental
- Competitive Pay and PTO
- Flexible Heath Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
- Basic / Optional Life Insurance
- Post-Retirement Health Insurance
- Employer contribution of 7% of earnings to a Basic Retirement plan after meeting one year of service.
- Optional employee contributed retirement account.
Location: 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203
Salary Range: $100,000-$135,000
Eng Level I $100,000-$110,000
Eng Level II $110,000-$120,000
Eng Level III $120,000-$135,000
*Posted salary rates are determined upon experience and education
Additional Information:
NOTE: Some positions require access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, or restricted programs where U.S. Government authorization may be required.
For positions requiring such access, offers of employment are contingent upon the employer being able to obtain the necessary authorization, including, if required, an export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, or other government agencies. The decision to pursue an export license application is at The Research Foundation for SUNY's sole discretion. Proof of status may be required prior to employment in connection with necessary authorizations.
Employment is with the Research Foundation for SUNY. The Research Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply please call Human Resources at 518-437-8686.