Senior Photonics Design Engineer

Job Details: Job Description: The Role and Impact We are seeking a Silicon Photonics Design Engineer specializing in actives design. In this role you will contribute directly to the design, simulation, optimization, and development of advanced photonic components for next-generation optical communication systems. Your day-to-day work will involve collaborating across engineering disciplines to design and validate photonic integrated circuits (PICs) components such as modulators, detectors, lasers, and passive devices, ensuring they meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements. This role offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of photonics technology and drive innovation in data center and AI applications.

About the Team Intel's Integrated Photonics Solutions (IPS) team is a global leader in silicon photonics integration, pioneering high-performance optical solutions that enable transformative scalability in data center bandwidth and speeds. The team focuses on research, development, and commercialization of advanced photonic technologies that drive Intel's vision of delivering cutting-edge innovations in optical communications and AI-driven systems. Joining IPS means becoming part of an innovative team dedicated to redefining the future of high-volume photonic integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize photonic components such as modulators, passive devices, lasers, and detectors for PICs
• Conduct tolerance analysis to ensure components maintain reliability and performance under various operating conditions
• Lead test chip development, including design, layout, tapeout, testing, and validation processes
• Analyze characterization data, identify performance gaps, and develop strategies for optimization and improvement
• Develop and refine modeling methodologies for photonic components and propose innovative test approaches
• Research emerging photonics technologies to define next-generation architectures and drive intellectual property development
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary engineering teams to align component designs with system‑level requirements

To Be Successful in This Role

You Should Demonstrate Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines. A proactive approach to problem-solving with a drive to push the boundaries of photonics technology. Strong communication skills to effectively present designs and findings to cross‑functional teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Science, or a related field, and 6+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with 4+ years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. with 2+ years of relevant experience in photonic device design and simulation
• Proficiency in optical and RF design and simulation tools such as Lumerical (FDTD, MODE, DEVICE, Interconnect), RSoft, or Tidy3D
• Hands‑on experience in photonic integrated circuit design, from concept through high‑volume manufacturing
• Familiarity with photonic test methodologies and equipment, including optical spectrum analyzers, tunable lasers, and optical vector analyzers
• Experience managing statistical analysis of photonic test data using tools like JMP or programming languages such as Python or Matlab

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in layout tools such as Cadence or KLayout for component design and PIC tapeouts
• Experience with advanced passive or active silicon photonic components such as ring modulators, Mach‑Zehnder interferometers, EAM's/EML's
• Knowledge of system‑level link modeling, Monte Carlo analysis, and optical coupling solutions
• Familiarity with inverse design methodologies and circuit‑level simulations
• Understanding of advanced electronic ICs and integration with photonic systems, including drivers, TIAs, DSPs, and modulators

Join Intel's Integrated Photonics Solutions team and be at the forefront of innovation in optical communication technologies. Shape the future of photonic integration and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in data centers and AI‑driven solutions.

Job Type: Experienced Hire

Shift: Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location: US, California, Santa Clara

Additional Locations:

Posting Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust: N/A

Benefits We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $164,470.00-232,190.00 USD

The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations.

Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Work Model for this Role This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on‑site at their assigned Intel site and off‑site.

Job posting details such as work model, location or time type are subject to change.

Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

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