Shining A Spotlight On......Cristian Vargas

In the next of our 'Shining a Spotlight on...' blogs we introduce Cristian Vargas, Pilot's Photonics Test & Automation Engineer...

Where's home to you?

Home for me is Colombia, which is where I obtained my BSc in Electronic Engineering before moving to Aston University for my MSc in Photonics Integrated Circuits, Sensors, and Networks.

When did you join Pilot?

I joined Pilot in January 2023, and am based at the company's DCU Alpha base.

What projects do you work on at Pilot, and where does your work fit in to the company's operations?

Working on Pilot's NGPON2, iCLA and Lyra Tunable Laser, my work consists of lab testing at different levels, from bare die chip testing to packaged devices, with a strong focus on photonic chips and their electronic integration. My main focus is on ensuring that the devices perform as expected based on the design and if it doesn't, I troubleshoot and debug the issue to find a solution.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My day usually starts with checking test setups and ensuring everything is running smoothly. Since my work involves lab testing at different levels, I spend a lot of time working with photonic chips and their electronic interfaces, setting up experiments, analyzing data, and troubleshooting unexpected behaviours. If a device isn’t performing as expected, I dig into debugging issues, whether it's adjusting bias conditions, checking RF connections, or tweaking measurement parameters. I also document findings, discuss results with the team, and sometimes adapt test plans based on new insights. No two days are exactly the same, which keeps things interesting! 

What excites you about what we do at Pilot?

I love that Pilot is at the forefront of innovation in photonics, constantly working on new and exciting technologies. The opportunity to be involved in projects where electronics and photonics come together is something I find particularly engaging. 

Beyond that, Pilot has a lot of potential, and it’s exciting to be part of a team that is always pushing forward. I also learn something new every day, which keeps things fresh and allows me to grow both professionally and personally—there’s always something new to dive into! 

What does a successful day look like?

A great day is when I can run a full set of tests without unexpected delays, collect solid data, and maybe even spot an interesting behaviour that leads to improvements. If I can solve a tricky debugging issue, or optimize a device’s performance, that’s even better. I also enjoy when I can contribute insights that help refine designs or testing methodologies.

What challenges/frustrations do you experience?

Like any advanced technology, photonics has its quirks. One big frustration is when a setup that worked yesterday suddenly stops cooperating—whether it’s due to temperature sensitivity, fibre misalignment, or a weird RF artifact that takes time to track down. Debugging can be time-consuming, especially when issues are subtle and hard to reproduce. 

What do you particularly enjoy about being part of the Pilot team?

What I really enjoy about being part of the Pilot team is the people—everyone is supportive, collaborative, and always open to sharing knowledge. It’s a great environment where you learn something new every day, whether through conversations with colleagues or just by being involved in different projects. 

 Working at Pilot is always interesting and rewarding, and being surrounded by great people who are passionate about what they do makes all the difference! 

How do you enjoy your time when you're not at work?

Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, cooking, staying active, and getting lost in a good movie, but whether it’s trying out a new recipe, hitting the gym, planning my next trip, or just kicking back with a great film, I like to keep things fun and balanced. 

Cristian's a real team player; always cheerful and accommodating but, equally, thorough and rigorous in his approach. As the bridge between photonics and electronics, his work on integration has been instrumental in several excellent breakthroughs.