Principal Photonics Architect

Cambridge Consultants; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Creative working environment

Support for individual talent

Job summary

A leading technology consultancy in Cambridge is seeking a photonics architect to lead multidisciplinary teams in developing next-generation photonic and optoelectronic systems. The role involves setting technical vision, defining architectures, and guiding projects from concept to validated hardware. Ideal candidates will have expertise in photonic design and a proven ability to manage complex projects while collaborating with various engineering disciplines. The position offers unique opportunities to mentor, shape strategy, and engage with clients at the forefront of optical innovation.

Qualifications

• Led specification, design, fabrication/test, and validation of complex PICs or photonic systems.
• Engagement with the photonics ecosystem (fabs, packaging, test).
• Experience in high-speed PICs for datacoms.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams delivering PICs and photonic systems.
• Oversee design, simulation, tape-out, integration, and test activities.
• Manage technical relationships with foundries and partners.

Skills

Hands-on photonic design/simulation

Leadership

Deep knowledge of PIC platforms

Integration methods

Technical trade-offs

Tools

Lumerical

Ansys

Synopsys

Luceda

Nazca

Job description

Are you curious about new technologies, and how they can lead to long-term sustainable value?

We think creatively at the intersection of business and technology, inventing solutions to redefine what you do.

You need a partner with intimate knowledge of your industry and proven experience of delivering value from deep tech breakthroughs.

Discover more about the work we do in your sector and how we can create real commercial advantage for you.

Take a look at the latest insights, ideas and perspectives from CC.

Explore a cross-section of up-to-date content on the deep tech trends shaping the future of business and society.

Are you looking for an opportunity for your abilities to be recognised, and make a real difference?

Whether you are just starting out or you’re an experienced professional, we would love to hear from you.

We are a global team of 750 bright, talented people – united by the ambition to turn brilliant and radical ideas into technologies, products and services that are new to the world. If you are intrigued by solving the world’s most complex engineering, technology and design problems, then our mission might be the one for you!

Main role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join Cambridge Consultants’ Photonics Group — a team accelerating the adoption of innovative photonic technologies into real-world products. Our work spans photonic integrated circuits, nano- and micro-fabricated optics, nonlinear systems, and emerging fields such as quantum photonics. We push the boundaries of design, modelling and experimental validation to make novel optical technologies practical and scalable.

As a photonics architect, you will lead multidisciplinary teams developing next-generation photonic and optoelectronic systems. You will set the technical vision, define architectures, and guide projects from concept through design, integration, and validation. Working closely with electronic, mechanical, and software engineers, as well as external foundries and other partners, you will ensure that ambitious ideas are translated into robust and manufacturable hardware.

You’ll also play a key role in shaping the strategy and future direction of the Photonics Group, helping to grow internal capability and mentor new talent while engaging with clients at the forefront of optical innovation.

What you will do:

• Lead teams delivering PICs and photonic systems, owning architecture from concept to validated hardware.
• Oversee design, simulation, tape‑out, integration and test activities, setting best practices.
• Manage technical relationships with foundries, packaging and optics partners.
• Drive training, upskilling and resource planning to scale internal photonics expertise.

Requirements

• Led specification, design, fabrication/test and validation of complex PICs or photonic systems.
• Hands‑on photonic design/simulation (Lumerical/Ansys/Synopsys or equivalent) and PIC layout (Synopsys/Luceda/Nazca).
• Engagement with photonics ecosystem (fabs, packaging, test).
• Deep knowledge of PIC platforms (SiPh/SiN/InP), integration methods and test strategies.
• Proven ability to lead engineers, make technical trade‑offs and collaborate across disciplines.
• Experience in photonic / optical compute technologies
• Experience in high‑speed PICs for datacoms
• Experience in free‑space optical communication

Why Cambridge Consultants?

Cambridge Consultants creates exciting and novel breakthroughs in design and technology rich products. We help our clients achieve the kind of game‑changing leap forward that will transform their whole business.

At the heart of what we do are talented and motivated multi-disciplinary teams empowered to create cutting edge technologies and systems to solve difficult problems for our clients.

We recognise and celebrate individual talent and we understand the importance of letting individuals be just that. Our people are here to do the best work of their lives and our job is to provide the platform for them to do it. That means letting people pursue the projects that interest them and develop their career in whatever direction they choose.