Photonic Layout Engineer

Salience Labs; Oxford, Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a motivated Photonics Layout Engineer to contribute to the design and development of cutting-edge photonic switches. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for early-career professionals to enhance their technical skills while working alongside experienced engineers. You will be involved in creating layouts for photonic components, ensuring high performance through rigorous verification processes. With hands-on mentorship and a collaborative environment, you will help shape the future of optical computing and connectivity. If you are passionate about photonics and programming, this is the perfect chance to advance your career in a dynamic field.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience or recent graduate with programming/layout experience.
• Familiarity with semiconductor or photonics IC design workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design photonic components and chips using Python-based layout tools.
• Run and debug layout verification checks at component and chip levels.

Skills

Python

C

Java

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physics

Bachelor's degree in Photonics

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering

Tools

Specialised Photonic Layout Tools

DRC Tools

LVS Tools

Job description

Job Overview

As a Photonics Layout Engineer at Salience Labs, you will play a critical role in helping us design and build active photonic switches for large-scale systems. You’ll work closely with our photonics design engineers to create component and chip-level layouts using both Python and specialist photonic layout tools. Your work will directly support the tape-out process and influence the performance of our photonic integrated circuits. This is an ideal role for someone early in their career looking to grow their technical layout expertise while contributing to a high-impact team. Mentorship and hands-on training will be provided.

What you'll be doing:

1. Use Python-based layout tools and other specialised photonic IC design packages to draw the layout of photonic components, sub-systems, and full chips.
2. Work with the photonics design team to develop a library of optimised photonic components.
3. Perform chip-level layout using specialised photonic design tools.
4. Run and debug DRC, LVS, and other layout verification checks at both component and chip levels.
5. Work with the photonics design team to resolve layout errors and optimise photonic IC performance.
6. Support the delivery of photonics tape-outs according to project timelines.
7. Assist with design reviews, layout documentation, and version tracking.
8. Support hardware, system design, component design, and failure analysis of photonics systems, as the owner of photonics layout and associated documentation.
9. Contribute to toolchain improvements, including the adoption and integration of new layout and verification software.
10. Become an expert in the foundry process technologies used by Salience Labs.

What we're looking for:

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in physics, photonics, electrical engineering, or optical engineering.
2. 1+ years of relevant experience, or recent graduate with programming or layout experience.
3. Strong programming skills in Python, C, Java or similar languages.
4. Familiarity with the semiconductor or photonics IC industry and its design and fabrication workflows.
5. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a self-motivated approach to learning and development.
6. Clear and effective communication skills and a collaborative team mindset.

Even better if you

1. Have hands-on experience writing Python for layout automation or design tooling.
2. Understand photonics device principles, including waveguides, multiplexers/demultiplexers, tapers, grating couplers, and modulators.
3. Have experience with photonics or electronic IC layout and verification tools.
4. Are familiar with semiconductor manufacturing technologies and processes.
5. Have worked on tape-outs for photonics ICs, lasers, photodetectors, or similar optoelectronic devices.

This is a unique opportunity to grow your career as a Photonics Layout Engineer while helping to shape the future of high-speed connectivity and optical computing. If you’re passionate about photonics, programming, and contributing to breakthrough technology, we’d love to hear from you.