Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Researcher

Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Researcher

• $165,000 to $220,000

OPEN JOB: Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Researcher

Location: Santa Clara, California

***Relocation Assistance Available

Base Salary: $165,000 to $220,000

Industry: Semiconductors

Job Category: Engineering

As a Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Researcher, you will play a pivotal role in inventing, developing, and validating cutting-edge integrated photonic technologies. If successful, your efforts will enable new and breakthrough products and be used by many customers to accelerate their own innovations. This role requires a strong foundation in both measurement science and the theoretical principles and practical applications of PICs. We are looking for someone who is passionate about innovation, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is eager to drive impactful changes in the photonics field.

About the Team:

This team serves as the firm's central research hub, committed to creating world-class electronic and photonic technologies that power next-generation solutions. You will join a diverse, inclusive, and multi-disciplinary team of talented professionals from various fields, including mm-waves, photonics, precision mechanical design, and software development. Our culture encourages creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Your ideas are valued, and your contributions make a tangible difference.

Responsibilities:

As a PIC Researcher, you will apply your integrated photonic expertise as part of our team to propose, develop, and implement innovative yet practical solutions to technically challenging problems.

Your initial work will include theoretical analysis, photonic device simulations, PIC layout, and PIC component measurements. PIC researchers are asked to:

• Identify new technologies early and how they can best be harnessed
• Invent new measurement concepts or implementations to significantly impact the businesses
• Implement these innovative concepts in actual hardware and software to prove feasibility
• Work to transfer the technology into commercial products.

This position requires close collaboration with colleagues and must be performed on-site at the Santa Clara, California office to foster innovation and teamwork effectively. Relocation is available for this position.

Required Qualifications:

• Completed Ph.D. degree in a relevant field (e.g., Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Physics)
• Demonstrated ability to perform innovative research in integrated photonics
• Deep understanding of optical waveguide theory (mode solving, confinement, polarization, dispersion)
• PIC simulation, design, and layout experience (RSoft, Lumerical, Tidy3D, IPKISS, KLayout)
• Extensive hands-on PIC component characterization experience
• Familiarity with die- or wafer-level optical and electrical probing of passive and active PIC devices
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Self-motivated with an ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with script-based PIC layout
• Familiarity with commercial PIC foundry tape-out processes
• Experience in RF or microwave simulation and design
• Experience with circuit-level simulations (ADS, INTERCONNECT, VPI)
• Photonic or electronic packaging experience
• Lab automation with Python – instrument control and data acquisition