Photonics Engineer - Epitaxial Structures and Devices

Aegiq Ltd.; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual leave 25 days

Sheffield-based workplace

Excellent transport links

Growth opportunities

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Aegiq, a Sheffield-based quantum technology company, is seeking a Photonics Engineer to join the team developing next-generation quantum photonic devices. You will design and optimise III-V heterostructures, focusing on InP and GaAs systems, and translate epitaxial designs into manufacturable specifications through close collaboration with partners.

You will model band structures, strain, and thermal effects, and use TCAD and Python tools to drive design from simulation to wafer-scale

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering or related semiconductor discipline; advanced postgraduate study or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of III-V semiconductor physics, including band structures and optical transitions.
• Experience designing or developing InP and/or GaAs-based structures (ternary/quaternary alloys).
• Understanding of heterostructure design, quantum wells, strain engineering and device performance.
• Practical experience with TCAD or numerical device simulation and using results to guide design.
• Knowledge of MOCVD/MOVPE or MBE growth and how epitaxial design influences manufacturability.
• Ability to analyze device behaviour, assess modelling assumptions and identify risks.
• Clear communication and collaboration across physics, design, fabrication and testing teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimise complex III-V heterostructures, including quantum dots and wells, for optical/electronic performance.
• Model electronic band structures, confinement and transport; evaluate emission wavelength and quantum effects.
• Engineer band structures and optical properties for advanced photonic devices.
• Analyse lattice mismatch and strain to minimise defects in metamorphic structures.
• Investigate heat transport and temperature effects on device performance.
• Develop modelling workflows using TCAD and Python-based analysis.
• Translate epitaxial designs into material specs and growth requirements with partners.
• Interpret HR-XRD, PL, SIMS, TEM data to refine designs and validate models.
• Collaborate across quantum physics, photonics design, and fabrication teams to deliver hardware.

Skills

Semiconductor physics

III-V materials

Epitaxial design

Modelling & simulation

Scientific programming

Epitaxial manufacturing

Engineering approach

Communication & collaboration

Education

Physics

Materials Science

Electrical Engineering

Tools

TCAD

nextnano

Crosslight

Silvaco

Sentaurus

Python

Job description

The Role

We are looking for a Photonics Engineer to join our team developing the semiconductor structures and devices at the heart of Aegiq's next-generation quantum computing systems.

You will design, model and optimise advanced III-V semiconductor heterostructures, with a focus on InP and GaAs-based materials systems. Your work will span bandgap engineering, strain management, device physics and thermal modelling, helping develop high-performance quantum light sources and other photonic devices.

Working closely with our quantum science, photonic design and device engineering teams, as well as external epitaxy and semiconductor fabrication partners, you will translate device requirements into practical epitaxial designs that can be manufactured reliably and at scale.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of challenging semiconductor design problems, contribute to the development of advanced quantum photonic devices and see your designs progress from simulation through wafer manufacturing to experimental validation.

Depending on experience, the position may be offered at Senior or Principal Engineer level.

What You'll Be Doing

• Epitaxial Structure Design: Design and optimise complex III-V semiconductor heterostructures, including quantum dots, quantum wells, superlattices and metamorphic buffer layers, with a focus on optical and electronic performance, material quality and manufacturability.
• Device Modelling & Simulation: Model electronic band structures, carrier confinement and transport, optical emission and electro-optical behaviour. Investigate device characteristics such as emission wavelength, optical confinement, carrier dynamics, current-voltage behaviour and quantum-confined Stark shifts.
• Bandgap Engineering: Apply semiconductor physics and quantum mechanical modelling to engineer electronic band structures, quantum confinement, heterojunction offsets and optical properties for advanced photonic and quantum devices.
• Strain Engineering: Analyse lattice mismatch, strain distribution and critical layer thicknesses in pseudomorphic and metamorphic structures. Develop strain-management approaches that achieve the required electronic and optical properties while minimising defects and dislocations.
• Thermal Modelling: Investigate heat transport, thermal resistance and temperature-dependent device behaviour, including the effects of material interfaces and operating conditions on device performance and reliability.
• Simulation & Design Tools: Develop and maintain semiconductor modelling workflows using TCAD and numerical simulation tools such as nextnano, Crosslight, Silvaco, Sentaurus or equivalent software, alongside Python-based modelling and data analysis.
• Epitaxy & Manufacturing: Work with external MOCVD/MOVPE and MBE growth partners to translate epitaxial designs into material specifications and growth requirements. Collaborate with fabrication engineers to understand process constraints, investigate manufacturing challenges and improve device reproducibility.
• Material & Device Characterisation: Interpret structural, optical and electrical characterisation data, including techniques such as high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD), photoluminescence (PL), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Use experimental results to validate models, investigate performance limitations and refine designs.
• Technical Collaboration: Work across quantum physics, photonic design, semiconductor fabrication and experimental testing teams to understand device requirements, make design trade-offs and support the development of reliable quantum photonic hardware.

About Aegiq

Aegiq is a Sheffield-based quantum technology company developing scalable, fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers. Founded in 2019, we work across the full quantum computing stack, from semiconductor chips and photonic hardware to software and real-world applications.

In 2025, we delivered our first-generation quantum computer to the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre. We're now developing our second-generation platform and expanding our team to tackle the scientific and engineering challenges involved in building quantum computers at scale.

We're a growing team of scientists, engineers and specialists who enjoy solving difficult problems and turning new ideas into working technology. At Aegiq, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of your work, contribute directly to the technology we're developing and help shape the future of the company.

We value different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking. If you're excited about the work we're doing, we'd encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn't match every requirement listed.

What We're Looking For

• Education: A degree in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering or a related semiconductor discipline, with advanced postgraduate study or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Semiconductor Physics: Strong understanding of III-V semiconductor physics, including band structures, heterojunctions, quantum confinement, carrier dynamics and optical transitions.
• III-V Materials: Experience designing, modelling or developing InP and/or GaAs-based compound semiconductor structures, including ternary or quaternary alloys.
• Epitaxial Design: Good understanding of semiconductor heterostructure design, including quantum wells, strain engineering, lattice mismatch and the relationship between epitaxial structures and device performance.
• Modelling & Simulation: Practical experience with semiconductor TCAD, numerical device simulation or multiphysics modelling, and the ability to use modelling results to guide design decisions.
• Scientific Programming: Experience using Python or equivalent tools for numerical analysis, scientific computing and processing simulation or experimental data.
• Epitaxial Manufacturing: Understanding of the capabilities and practical constraints of MOCVD/MOVPE or MBE growth, and how epitaxial design decisions influence material quality and manufacturability.
• Engineering Approach: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate complex device behaviour, assess modelling assumptions and identify technical risks.
• Communication & Collaboration: Ability to communicate technical findings clearly and work effectively with colleagues and external partners across semiconductor physics, device design, fabrication and testing.

Nice to Have

• Experience designing epitaxial structures for semiconductor quantum dots, particularly single-photon or entangled-photon sources.
• Experience with telecom-wavelength InP-based quantum emitters or related optoelectronic devices.
• Detailed knowledge of strain-dependent band structures, deformation potentials, valence-band splitting or carrier-phonon interactions.
• Experience with advanced semiconductor thermal modelling, carrier transport or coupled electro-optical simulations.
• Experience with semiconductor lasers, photodetectors or other III-V optoelectronic devices.
• Practical experience with epitaxial growth, cleanroom fabrication, material characterisation or semiconductor failure analysis.
• Experience transferring semiconductor device designs from research environments towards repeatable wafer-scale manufacturing.
• Experience working with external epitaxy suppliers, semiconductor foundries or fabrication partners.
• Experience providing technical leadership, guiding device development programmes or supporting less experienced engineers.

• Competitive salary, based on experience and skills.

• 25 days of annual leave, in addition to bank holidays and company closure days.
• A Sheffield-based workplace, with excellent transport links and a great balance of city life and affordability.
• The opportunity to join a growing company developing some of the most exciting technology in quantum computing.
• Meaningful responsibility from the outset, with opportunities to develop your skills, take on new challenges and grow your career as Aegiq expands.
• A friendly, collaborative and supportive working environment where different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are valued, and everyone is encouraged to contribute.