Photonics Layout Lead & Architect

Salience Labs Ltd; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Salience Labs in the United Kingdom is seeking a Photonics Layout Lead to head the layout team, owning physical design, verification and development of advanced integrated photonic devices.

You will line manage engineers, define workflows, and collaborate with photonic design, testing and wider engineering teams. This hands-on leadership role combines layout, programming and team-building across projects.

The role is based hybrid on site in the UK with four days a week on site and one day remote.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Photonics, Electrical or Optical Engineering.
• 6+ years in integrated photonics or photonic IC layout with leadership.
• Experience mentoring engineers and building effective teams.
• Hands-on layout with Python or layout/EDA tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Layout team and set priorities to deliver high-quality results.
• Line manage and coach layout engineers.
• Support hiring and onboarding as the team grows.
• Develop physical layouts for photonic components and large designs.
• Translate device requirements into fabrication-ready layouts.
• Own DRC/LVS verification and tape-out processes.
• Develop or improve software workflows for layout and automation.
• Use Python and tools to create and verify layouts.
• Maintain internal libraries and design components.
• Plan layout work across projects balancing schedule and risk.
• Collaborate with photonic design and testing teams.
• Drive layout methodology improvements.

Skills

Leadership experience

Python programming

Layout automation

DRC/LVS verification

Technical communication

Photonic IC design

Team building

Education

Bachelor's in Physics/Photonics/EE

Master/PhD in related field

Tools

Python

EDA tools

Layout software

Job description

Salience Labs in the United Kingdom is seeking a Photonics Layout Lead to head the layout team, owning physical design, verification and development of advanced integrated photonic devices.

You will line manage engineers, define workflows, and collaborate with photonic design, testing and wider engineering teams. This hands-on leadership role combines layout, programming and team-building across projects.

The role is based hybrid on site in the UK with four days a week on site and one day remote.