Senior Photonics Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Montreal; On-site; CAD 112,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment in Montreal, Canada, seeks a Senior Photonics Engineer to lead the photonics design and test across the PIC building blocks. You will drive architecture, define test protocols, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced startup environment.

This hands-on leader will collaborate with hardware and electronics teams, contribute to IP development, and help advance sensing and integrated photonics capabilities.

Qualifications

• B.Sc./M.Sc./Ph.D. in EE/Photonics or related field (MSc/PhD preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in integrated photonics or optoelectronics.
• Experience with PIC building blocks, micro-optical resonators, and optical simulation tools.
• Hands-on skills assembling, characterizing, and processing signals for optical devices.
• Patentable inventions, publications, or milestones in photonics are a plus.
• Excellent communication and meticulous documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, simulation, and layout of PIC building blocks (splitters, filters, resonators, modulators) using Lumerical or equivalent tools.
• Define test specs and characterization procedures for optical components; evolve test architecture and data pipelines (Python, MATLAB, C++).
• Identify patentable inventions, draft disclosures, support filings.
• Guide technical trade-offs, procure components, and mentor junior engineers.
• Partner with hardware and electronics teams to integrate optical and electronic subsystems.

Skills

PIC Design & Simulation

Test & Validation

Leadership & Mentorship

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Communication

Education

B.Sc./M.Sc./Ph.D. in EE/Photonics

Tools

Lumerical

COMSOL

Python

MATLAB

C++

Job description

Senior Photonics Engineer

Location: Montreal, Canada

Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 USD

Position Type: Full-Time (Must be a Permanent Resident of Canada; no visa sponsorship available)

About the Role

My client, an innovative high-growth hardware startup in Montreal, is looking for a Senior Photonics Engineer to serve as a key technical leader across their photonics design and test functions.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role for an experienced engineer who brings both deep simulation/design expertise and characterization skills. Reporting into leadership, the ideal candidate will guide photonics architecture, define test protocols, drive intellectual property (patents), and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• PIC Architecture & Design: Lead the design, simulation, and layout of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) building blocks (splitters, filters, resonators, phase modulators) using Lumerical or equivalent tools.

• Test & Validation: Define test specs and characterization procedures for optical components and sensing hardware; evolve the electro-optical test architecture and data pipelines (Python, MATLAB, C++).

• IP Generation: Identify patentable inventions, draft technical disclosures, and support patent filings.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Guide technical trade-offs, direct component procurement, and mentor junior photonics and test engineers.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Partner closely with hardware and electronics teams to integrate optical and electronic subsystems.

Required Qualifications

• Education: B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics (Optics), or related field (M.Sc. or Ph.D. preferred).

• Experience: 5+ years of industry experience in integrated photonics or optoelectronics.

• Technical Depth: Expertise in PIC building blocks, micro-optical resonators, and optical simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL).

• Hands-On Skills: Demonstrated experience in assembling, characterizing, and processing signals for fiber-coupled and integrated optical devices.

• Innovation Track Record: Proven history of patents, publications, or key technical product milestones.

• Communication: Clear communication skills with a detail-oriented, meticulous approach to documentation and team guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing and filing utility patents (photonics or MEMS).

• Background in cleanroom fabrication, MEMS, or motion/inertial sensor technologies.

• Experience with photonic CAD layout.

• Prior experience thriving in a startup or agile team environment.