Senior Photonics Design Engineer (PICs Modeling)

Xanadu; Toronto; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Xanadu in Toronto, Ontario is looking for a skilled individual to join their photonic integration team. The selected candidate will be responsible for the development of advanced quantum photonics integrated circuits (PICs) and will collaborate closely with engineers and scientists. A PhD in Engineering or a related field with at least 2 years of industrial experience is mandatory, alongside expertise in PICs modeling. The position offers a competitive salary range of CAD 130,000 to CAD 170,000, along with equity and benefits.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in an industrial setting.
• Expert-level understanding of on-chip cross-talk mechanisms.
• Hands-on validation of control performance against phase noise.

Responsibilities

• Drive the development of high-performance quantum photonics integrated circuits.
• Collaborate with designers, engineers, and scientists to define component requirements.
• Perform physical verification including DRC and LVS to ensure compliance.

Skills

PICs modeling with Scattering Matrix

Optical and multiphysics modeling

Experience with version control systems

Ability to manage multiple competing priorities

Education

PhD in Engineering, Science, or related field

Tools

Git

Job description

About Xanadu

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities

The successful candidate will join the photonic integration team to drive the development of high-performance quantum photonics integrated circuits (PICs) used throughout Xanadu's fault-tolerant architecture. In this role, you will be responsible for the design and modeling of PICs to ensure ultra-low insertion loss and achieve low noise operation. Additionally, you will collaborate with photonics designers, electrical engineers, experimental physicists, and quantum architecture scientists to define realistic on‑chip component requirements necessary for fault‑tolerant quantum computing. This role offers the opportunity to leverage state-of-the-art foundry processes at Xanadu's 200mm and 300mm fabrication partners, while providing direct access to Xanadu’s sophisticated quantum photonic experimental setups.

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD in Engineering, Science, or related field, with 2+ years of experience in an industrial setting
• Expert-level experience with PICs modeling with Scattering Matrix (S‑matrix), Transfer Matrix Method (TMM), or other advanced numerical frameworks
• Expert-level understanding of on‑chip cross‑talk mechanisms arising from on‑chip parasitics, component non‑idealities, as well as complex thermo‑optic, pyroelectric, electro‑optic, and nonlinear optical effects.
• Experience in optical and multiphysics modeling for developing on‑chip integrated passive/active photonic components and sub‑systems, including gratings, ring/racetrack resonators, directional couplers, electro‑optic modulators, thermo‑optic phase shifters, photodetectors, etc.
• Experience with generating layout for MPW or dedicated full mask sets, and performing physical verification including DRC (design rule check) and LVS (layout versus schematic) to ensure manufacturing compliance and netlist integrity
• Experience in modeling and implementing real‑time control loops (e.g., PID) for the stabilization of on‑chip resonators and interferometric circuits, including hands‑on validation of control performance against phase noise
• Experience with version control systems such as Git
• Ability to operate in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple competing priorities

Preferred qualifications and experience

• A proven track record of delivering fully packaged, operational PICs specifically optimized for quantum optical applications
• Experience in designing or defining technical specifications for control electronics to interface with high‑performance PICs
• Proven ability to perform cross‑domain noise modeling, translating individual or coupled noise mechanisms, including thermal fluctuations, laser phase noise, and relative intensity noise, into the resulting optical amplitude and phase responses at the PIC outputs.
• Experience in implementing automated routing algorithms for large‑scale photonic integrated circuit layout, targeting minimized routing loss and photonic circuit footprint

This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 130,000 - 170,000 CAD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier‑free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at [e-mail].

Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.