Lead Photonics Engineer

Devyantram is building a unified platform of bionic robots, from nanoscale to humanoid, powered by a bionic brain system that fuses biotechnology, nanotechnology, and AI to tackle global challenges in climate, medicine, and defense.

Role Summary

You will lead the design and development of Devyantram's photonic intelligence hardware supporting the CEREBRION bionic brain platform. You are responsible for architecting intelligence-substrate hardware, not just building individual components.

Key Responsibilities

Photonics Engineering
• Design and simulate photonic circuits, waveguides, resonators, and interferometers.
• Develop optical interconnects and signal-routing subsystems.
• Work on optical memory and optical compute elements.
• Target high-bandwidth sensing, low-latency communication, and energy-efficient computation.
• Own photonics fabrication, testing, and characterization.

Compute Hardware
• Contribute to unconventional, brain-inspired photonic compute hardware.
• Translate cognitive and AI requirements into physical implementations.
• Co-design with the bioengineering, mechatronics, and controls teams.

IP & Technical Leadership
• Generate foundational IP across photonics.
• Lead invention disclosures and support patent strategy with counsel.
• Define the long-term photonic hardware roadmap.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers.

Required Qualifications
• MS or PhD in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of demonstrated expertise in photonics engineering.
• Strong experience in nanofabrication.
• Proven ability to bridge theory, fabrication, and system-level integration.

Strongly Preferred
• Optical or holographic computing.
• Unconventional or non-von-Neumann computing.
• Brain-machine interfaces or neural probes.
• Advanced research lab or deep-tech startup experience.

A Successful Candidate Will Be Measured By
• Functionality and performance of the compute hardware.
• Successful design and fabrication of photonics systems.
• Reliability of hardware integration across subsystems.
• Strength, novelty, and defensibility of generated core IP.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.

The pay range for this role is:

150,000 - 170,000 USD per year (Ashburn, VA)