Senior Optical Transceiver Engineer Required
Budget: $90 – $160 USD
Senior Optical Transceiver Engineer
PAM4 RF and Photonics Systems
Freelance / Contract-Based / Remote or Hybrid / U.S.-Focused
About Lane Automotive
Lane Automotive is a premier supplier of high-performance automotive parts and accessories, serving racers, hot rodders, truck owners, and off-road enthusiasts worldwide. As a leading distributor in the performance aftermarket industry, we are proud to be a six-time recipient of the SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year award.
Based in Southwest Michigan, Lane Automotive has built a strong reputation through consistent growth, innovation, and a commitment to delivering cutting-edge products. Our advanced technological infrastructure and deep industry expertise allow us to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market. The company is also expanding into advanced hardware, connectivity, and high-performance systems to support next-generation automotive and data-driven technologies.
About the Role
We are looking for a Senior Optical Transceiver Engineer with deep expertise in PAM4, RF, photonics, SI/PI, and high-speed system integration to support the design and development of advanced optical transceiver systems.
This role is ideal for a senior engineer who can work across architecture, simulation, validation, manufacturability, NPI, and production-readiness. You will help drive high-speed optical transceiver development from concept through prototype, validation, and production transition.
This is a high-ownership engineering role, not a narrow execution-only position. We are looking for someone who can combine deep technical skill, strong system-level thinking, and cross-functional engineering leadership to move complex transceiver products forward with speed, rigor, and production discipline.
Engagement Details
This is a freelance / contract-based role open to highly qualified candidates. Depending on project phase and engineering needs, the structure can be hourly, milestone-based, or long-term contract collaboration.
Because the work involves close coordination with U.S.-based engineering stakeholders, candidates should be comfortable collaborating with a U.S.-focused team. Occasional on-site support or travel may be valuable depending on project requirements.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
1. Optical Transceiver Architecture & Design
You will lead the design of PAM4 optical transceivers from concept to production-oriented development. This includes defining electrical and optical architecture for pluggable and co-packaged transceiver systems, ensuring strong performance, scalability, and manufacturability.
2. System Integration
You will integrate hardware, optical systems, firmware, and software components into a coherent transceiver platform. This role requires strong cross-domain thinking and the ability to ensure performance across electrical, optical, and control layers.
3. RF, SI/PI, and Performance Engineering
You will perform RF and link simulations, support signal integrity and power integrity requirements, and use strong engineering analysis to improve system-level performance. Deep familiarity with DSP, drivers, TIA, RF components, and photonics is expected.
4. Validation, Troubleshooting & Yield Improvement
You will conduct lab validation and performance testing, troubleshoot technical issues, and drive yield, reliability, and design robustness improvements across development and production-readiness stages.
5. DFM, NPI & Production Transition
You will help resolve DFM and manufacturability issues, support EVT, DVT, and NPI stage reviews, and ensure designs move successfully from engineering into production with the right technical readiness and documentation.
6. Documentation & Engineering Control
You will create and maintain core engineering documentation such as architecture documents, drawings, BOMs, ECOs, simulation reports, and validation records, ensuring the design is properly controlled and transferable to production.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone with 2+ years of experience in RF, photonics, optoelectronics, or high-speed optical system design.
You should have strong hands-on experience with:
High-speed optical transceiver design, especially PAM4
RF simulation tools such as CST and HFSS
PCB and packaging design
SI/PI and system integration
Lab validation, measurement, and performance testing
EVT, DVT, and NPI workflows
Solving yield, manufacturability, and production transition issues
You should also have:
Strong debugging and problem-solving skills
The ability to work across hardware, optical, firmware, software, process, and product teams
Strong technical ownership and engineering leadership
Bachelor’s degree required
Master’s or PhD preferred
Nice to Have
The following would be valuable, though not required:
Experience with silicon photonics
Experience with co-packaged optics
Experience in datacenter, AI/ML, HPC, or advanced automotive systems
Python or scripting for automation
Experience with optical and electrical measurement systems and test automation frameworks
Workflow & Working Rhythm
This role follows a structured engineering rhythm.
Daily, you will work on design, simulation, debugging, technical issue investigation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Weekly, you will participate in design reviews, integration updates, and technical issue resolution.
Monthly, you will support performance analysis, design iteration, optimization, and validation / production-readiness reviews.
This role is expected to contribute across major engineering gates including EVT, DVT, and NPI.
Reporting & Deliverables
You will be expected to provide both technical output and engineering progress visibility.
Core deliverables include:
Architecture design documentation
Simulation and validation reports
Prototype development support
EVT / DVT phase engineering output
Production-readiness support
Yield and performance optimization work
Weekly technical updates and milestone-based reporting
How We Measure Success
Success in this role will be measured through a combination of:
System performance quality
Prototype validation success
Yield improvement
Reliability improvement
Manufacturability and production readiness
Cross-functional execution quality
Strong technical ownership across design and integration decisions
Compensation
Hourly Rate: $90 – $160/hour, depending on experience, technical depth, and level of ownership
Engagement Model: Hourly or milestone-based
Incentives: Performance-based incentives may be available depending on delivery, yield improvement, and system performance outcomes
Growth Opportunity: Long-term collaboration potential for strong performers
Benefits / Working Style
Flexible contract structure
Opportunity to work on advanced optical, RF, and photonics systems
High-impact technical role
Strong ownership and engineering influence
Exposure to next-generation hardware and connectivity projects
Long-term growth potential for highly capable contributors
How to Apply
Please include the following when you apply:
A short introduction
Your relevant experience with PAM4 optical transceiver systems
Your experience with RF simulation, SI/PI, photonics, and system integration
Examples of products or systems you have helped design, validate, or bring toward production
Any experience with EVT, DVT, NPI, yield improvement, or manufacturability
Your hourly rate
Your weekly availability
Whether you are open to occasional U.S.-based travel or hybrid/on-site collaboration if needed
Hiring Information
Hiring Team: Lane Automotive Engineering Team
Company: Lane Automotive
Company Website: https://www.laneautomotive.com
Headquarters: Southwest Michigan, United States
PAM4 RF and Photonics Systems
Freelance / Contract-Based / Remote or Hybrid / U.S.-Focused
About Lane Automotive
Lane Automotive is a premier supplier of high-performance automotive parts and accessories, serving racers, hot rodders, truck owners, and off-road enthusiasts worldwide. As a leading distributor in the performance aftermarket industry, we are proud to be a six-time recipient of the SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year award.
Based in Southwest Michigan, Lane Automotive has built a strong reputation through consistent growth, innovation, and a commitment to delivering cutting-edge products. Our advanced technological infrastructure and deep industry expertise allow us to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market. The company is also expanding into advanced hardware, connectivity, and high-performance systems to support next-generation automotive and data-driven technologies.
About the Role
We are looking for a Senior Optical Transceiver Engineer with deep expertise in PAM4, RF, photonics, SI/PI, and high-speed system integration to support the design and development of advanced optical transceiver systems.
This role is ideal for a senior engineer who can work across architecture, simulation, validation, manufacturability, NPI, and production-readiness. You will help drive high-speed optical transceiver development from concept through prototype, validation, and production transition.
This is a high-ownership engineering role, not a narrow execution-only position. We are looking for someone who can combine deep technical skill, strong system-level thinking, and cross-functional engineering leadership to move complex transceiver products forward with speed, rigor, and production discipline.
Engagement Details
This is a freelance / contract-based role open to highly qualified candidates. Depending on project phase and engineering needs, the structure can be hourly, milestone-based, or long-term contract collaboration.
Because the work involves close coordination with U.S.-based engineering stakeholders, candidates should be comfortable collaborating with a U.S.-focused team. Occasional on-site support or travel may be valuable depending on project requirements.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
1. Optical Transceiver Architecture & Design
You will lead the design of PAM4 optical transceivers from concept to production-oriented development. This includes defining electrical and optical architecture for pluggable and co-packaged transceiver systems, ensuring strong performance, scalability, and manufacturability.
2. System Integration
You will integrate hardware, optical systems, firmware, and software components into a coherent transceiver platform. This role requires strong cross-domain thinking and the ability to ensure performance across electrical, optical, and control layers.
3. RF, SI/PI, and Performance Engineering
You will perform RF and link simulations, support signal integrity and power integrity requirements, and use strong engineering analysis to improve system-level performance. Deep familiarity with DSP, drivers, TIA, RF components, and photonics is expected.
4. Validation, Troubleshooting & Yield Improvement
You will conduct lab validation and performance testing, troubleshoot technical issues, and drive yield, reliability, and design robustness improvements across development and production-readiness stages.
5. DFM, NPI & Production Transition
You will help resolve DFM and manufacturability issues, support EVT, DVT, and NPI stage reviews, and ensure designs move successfully from engineering into production with the right technical readiness and documentation.
6. Documentation & Engineering Control
You will create and maintain core engineering documentation such as architecture documents, drawings, BOMs, ECOs, simulation reports, and validation records, ensuring the design is properly controlled and transferable to production.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone with 2+ years of experience in RF, photonics, optoelectronics, or high-speed optical system design.
You should have strong hands-on experience with:
High-speed optical transceiver design, especially PAM4
RF simulation tools such as CST and HFSS
PCB and packaging design
SI/PI and system integration
Lab validation, measurement, and performance testing
EVT, DVT, and NPI workflows
Solving yield, manufacturability, and production transition issues
You should also have:
Strong debugging and problem-solving skills
The ability to work across hardware, optical, firmware, software, process, and product teams
Strong technical ownership and engineering leadership
Bachelor’s degree required
Master’s or PhD preferred
Nice to Have
The following would be valuable, though not required:
Experience with silicon photonics
Experience with co-packaged optics
Experience in datacenter, AI/ML, HPC, or advanced automotive systems
Python or scripting for automation
Experience with optical and electrical measurement systems and test automation frameworks
Workflow & Working Rhythm
This role follows a structured engineering rhythm.
Daily, you will work on design, simulation, debugging, technical issue investigation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Weekly, you will participate in design reviews, integration updates, and technical issue resolution.
Monthly, you will support performance analysis, design iteration, optimization, and validation / production-readiness reviews.
This role is expected to contribute across major engineering gates including EVT, DVT, and NPI.
Reporting & Deliverables
You will be expected to provide both technical output and engineering progress visibility.
Core deliverables include:
Architecture design documentation
Simulation and validation reports
Prototype development support
EVT / DVT phase engineering output
Production-readiness support
Yield and performance optimization work
Weekly technical updates and milestone-based reporting
How We Measure Success
Success in this role will be measured through a combination of:
System performance quality
Prototype validation success
Yield improvement
Reliability improvement
Manufacturability and production readiness
Cross-functional execution quality
Strong technical ownership across design and integration decisions
Compensation
Hourly Rate: $90 – $160/hour, depending on experience, technical depth, and level of ownership
Engagement Model: Hourly or milestone-based
Incentives: Performance-based incentives may be available depending on delivery, yield improvement, and system performance outcomes
Growth Opportunity: Long-term collaboration potential for strong performers
Benefits / Working Style
Flexible contract structure
Opportunity to work on advanced optical, RF, and photonics systems
High-impact technical role
Strong ownership and engineering influence
Exposure to next-generation hardware and connectivity projects
Long-term growth potential for highly capable contributors
How to Apply
Please include the following when you apply:
A short introduction
Your relevant experience with PAM4 optical transceiver systems
Your experience with RF simulation, SI/PI, photonics, and system integration
Examples of products or systems you have helped design, validate, or bring toward production
Any experience with EVT, DVT, NPI, yield improvement, or manufacturability
Your hourly rate
Your weekly availability
Whether you are open to occasional U.S.-based travel or hybrid/on-site collaboration if needed
Hiring Information
Hiring Team: Lane Automotive Engineering Team
Company: Lane Automotive
Company Website: https://www.laneautomotive.com
Headquarters: Southwest Michigan, United States