Applications Engineer - Polarization

Applications Engineer — PolarizationLocation: Chino, CA | Status: Full-TimeCompensation is commensurate with education, years of experience and relevant experience.About LunaLuna Innovations Incorporated (Luna) is a global leader in fiber optic test and measurement and distributed sensing, trusted by aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, research institutions, and commercial operators worldwide. We are a team of innovators who engineer, manufacture, and relentlessly pursue quality, driven by a shared commitment to exceeding our customers' expectations.Position OverviewLuna Innovations' Optical Communications Business Unit (OCT BU) develops and markets a portfolio of precision photonic instruments, polarization components, and OEM fiber optic solutions used in next-generation optical communications, sensing, and test & measurement applications. The Chino, CA facility is home to the polarization product lines, including polarization controllers, analyzers, and specialty fiber components.This is a software-first Applications Engineer role, bringing deep automation and test software expertise to our polarization instrument product lines — building customer-ready measurement workflows, automated test sequences, and application software that accelerates adoption in our target markets.

The ideal candidate is a strong programmer and systems thinker who is comfortable in a photonics environment; deep polarization domain knowledge is not required on day one and will be developed in partnership with the existing team. This position sits within the Support & Application Engineering organization (OCT BU), complementing our senior polarization AE's deep optical expertise with software and automation capability.Target application areas include: Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) and Silicon Photonics test; Optical WDM Component Test (AWGs, WSS); Optical Coherent Transceiver and Module Test (400G/800G/1.6T); Optical Component Test (fibers, coils, lasers, switches); and Quantum Technologies.Key ResponsibilitiesCustomer & Sales SupportServe as the primary technical resource for customer application inquiries related to Chino polarization product linesSupport sales team with pre-sales technical engagement, product demonstrations, and evaluation supportAttend and represent Luna at industry tradeshows and customer events (e.g., OFC, Photonics West)Manage and document customer interactions and application engineering requests through Salesforce CRMApplication DevelopmentDevelop and demonstrate application setups that showcase Luna product capabilities in target marketsBuild and deliver customer-ready measurement automation scripts and test sequences (Python, LabVIEW) — enabling repeatable workflows and reducing customer time-to-result in production and test environmentsIdentify emerging use cases and work with engineering to ensure new products address evolving customer needsSupport OEM customers through product transitions, integration challenges, and qualification activitiesContent & Knowledge DevelopmentCreate and maintain application notes, technical presentations, and product training materialsDevelop demo scripts and evaluation guides to enable self-service and accelerate customer onboardingContribute to internal knowledge base and best practices documentationCross-functional CollaborationCollaborate with engineering to communicate field feedback, application requirements, and product issuesParticipate in OEM account tracking and escalation processes alongside Application Engineering teamContribute to instrument demo pool management and demo readinessRIO Laser Products Support (Secondary, ~10–20%)Provide application engineering support for RIO Lasers' narrow linewidth laser diode and module product linesSupport customer inquiries related to OEM laser integration, linewidth, phase noise, and system-level application questionsRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related fieldStrong software and programming skills (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar) — demonstrated ability to build automated test sequences, instrument control applications, and measurement workflows from scratch2–7 years of experience in a test automation, applications engineering, or systems engineering role — experience in a photonics or instrumentation environment is a plus but not requiredStrong customer communication skills — able to present technical content clearly to both technical and non-technical audiencesFamiliarity with photonic components, fiber optic systems, or optical instrumentation — willingness and ability to develop deep application knowledge in polarization measurementExperience working with CRM tools (Salesforce preferred) for case tracking and activity documentationPreferred QualificationsExperience with polarization optics, polarization measurement, or polarization control systemsFamiliarity with coherent optical communications, optical testing, or fiber sensing applicationsExperience with narrow linewidth laser sources and OEM photonic component integrationPrior experience creating technical content — application notes, training materials, or product documentationFamiliarity with OEM customer environments and qualification/transition processesWhat Success Looks LikeIn the first 6–12 months, a successful candidate will:Become the go-to technical resource for the Chino polarization product lines for both customers and the sales teamHave a working demo environment established, at least one application note completed, and at least one reusable measurement automation script or workflow delivered to a customerBe actively managing and documenting application engineering requests in SalesforceHave established working familiarity with the RIO laser product line and begun supporting customer inquiriesLuna Innovations is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Luna provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, or veteran status.

Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. Luna expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination.