Senior Photonics Design Lead for AI PICs

Salience Labs; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Salience Labs is a deep‑tech company advancing optical circuit switching for AI infrastructure in UK data centres. The role focuses on designing, optimizing, and developing high‑performance photonic components for next‑gen Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and core IP roadmap.

You will collaborate with photonics designers, layout engineers, and testing teams to improve device performance through theory, simulation, and experimental validation.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in Photonics, Physics, Optical Engineering or related field.
• Typically 5+ years in integrated photonic device design.
• Strong understanding of guided optics and device physics.
• Hands-on experience designing and simulating photonic components.
• Experience with silicon photonics or InP platforms.
• Experience in R&D or product development environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimisation of integrated photonic components for silicon photonics and PIC platforms.
• Perform electromagnetic simulations and modelling to improve device performance.
• Validate simulations with experimental data.
• Develop innovative component designs informed by research.
• Collaborate with layout engineers to integrate components into PDKs and tape-out flows.
• Work with fabrication and testing teams to iterate device performance.
• Set roadmap for future photonic components and architectures.
• Drive long-term PIC loss, manufacturability, and scalability improvements.
• Lead design reviews and cross-functional problem solving.
• Mentor engineers in photonic design and simulation.

Skills

Photonics design

Silicon photonics

InP photonics

Python programming

Simulation tools

Tape-out experience

Cross-functional teamwork

Device physics

Education

PhD in Photonics

Tools

Photonic simulation tools

Job description

Salience Labs is a deep‑tech company advancing optical circuit switching for AI infrastructure in UK data centres. The role focuses on designing, optimizing, and developing high‑performance photonic components for next‑gen Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and core IP roadmap.

You will collaborate with photonics designers, layout engineers, and testing teams to improve device performance through theory, simulation, and experimental validation.