Senior Optical Transceiver Engineer PAM4 RF and Photonics Systems Full Time On Site About Us 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. We are expanding into advanced hardware, connectivity, and high-performance systems to support next-generation automotive and data-driven technologies. General Information Job Title: Senior Optical Transceiver Engineer Department: Engineering and Hardware Systems Reports to: Director of Engineering Current Team Size: 10 to 30 across hardware, firmware, and systems Location: On-site United States (with occasional travel) Employment Type: Full-time Working Duration: Long term Company and Business Context Company Stage: Scaleup to Enterprise Company Size: 200 to 500 employees Business Expansion Area: Advanced electronics, connectivity systems, and high-performance hardware integration Target Applications: Datacenter AI and ML systems High-performance computing (HPC) Advanced automotive systems Business Objective of This Role This role exists to design and deliver high-speed optical transceiver systems from concept through production, ensuring performance, scalability, and manufacturability. Key objectives: Develop production-ready PAM4 optical transceivers Ensure system performance across RF, photonics, and integration layers Drive successful transition from design to NPI and mass production Improve yield, reliability, and product performance Seniority and Ownership Level Seniority Level: Senior to Principal Years of Experience Expected: Minimum 10 plus years in optical, RF, or optoelectronic engineering Ownership Level: Own end-to-end transceiver design Lead architecture and system integration Drive product development lifecycle Decision Authority: Full technical ownership of design decisions Cross-functional leadership in engineering execution Key Responsibilities Lead the design of PAM4 optical transceivers from concept to high-volume production Define electrical and optical architecture for pluggable and co-packaged transceivers Integrate hardware, optical systems, firmware, and software components Collaborate with cross-functional teams including FW, SW, process, and product teams Drive troubleshooting, validation, and yield improvement Develop design documentation including drawings, BOM, and ECO Resolve DFM and manufacturability issues Lead EVT, DVT, and NPI stage reviews Perform RF and link simulations Conduct lab validation and performance testing Key Deliverables Monthly Architecture design documentation Simulation and validation reports Quarterly Prototype development and validation EVT and DVT phase completion Annually Production-ready transceiver systems Yield and performance optimization Success Metrics After 3 months Clear system understanding and initial design contributions After 6 months Successful prototype validation and system integration After 12 months Production-ready design with strong yield and performance metrics Tools and Tech Stack Required Tools RF simulation tools (CST, HFSS) Signal and power integrity tools PCB design tools Lab Tools Optical and electrical measurement systems Test automation frameworks Programming Python or scripting for automation Workflow and Working Process Daily Workflow Design and simulation work Cross-functional collaboration Debugging and testing Weekly Workflow Design reviews Integration progress updates Issue resolution Monthly Workflow Performance analysis Design iteration and optimization Approval Process Design reviews conducted at EVT, DVT, and NPI stages Collaboration and Stakeholders Works with Firmware and software teams Optical sub-assembly teams Process and manufacturing teams Product and program management May lead technical direction across teams Input Data and Reporting Data Received System requirements Customer specifications Test and validation data Reports To Director of Engineering Reporting Frequency Weekly technical updates Milestone-based reporting Requirements Minimum 10 plus years of experience in RF, photonics, or optoelectronics Strong expertise in high-speed optical transceiver design (PAM4) Deep knowledge of RF components, DSP, drivers, TIA, and photonics Strong understanding of SI/PI and system integration Experience with PCB and packaging design Experience with RF simulation tools (CST, HFSS) Hands-on lab measurement and validation experience Strong problem-solving and debugging skills Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s or PhD preferred Nice to Have Experience with silicon photonics Experience with co-packaged optics Experience in high-performance computing or datacenter systems Salary and Compensation Annual Salary 180,000 to 320,000 plus USD per year Bonus Performance-based tied to product delivery, yield, and system performance Benefits and Perks Health, dental, and vision insurance Retirement plans Paid time off Career growth opportunities Access to cutting-edge technology projects Company Culture Innovation-driven and engineering-focused High-performance technical environment Strong emphasis on ownership and accountability Career Path and Growth Potential to grow into Principal Engineer or Engineering Director Hiring Information Hiring Team: Lane Automotive Engineering Team Company Website https://www.laneautomotive.com Headquarters Southwest Michigan United States