2027 Photonic Integrated Circuits Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Photonic Integrated Circuit Engineer (Sr. Staff) to lead design, testing, and analysis of PIC technologies at our El Segundo, CA facility. The role emphasizes novel PIC architectures and collaboration with space programs and external partners.

You will work within the Photonics Technology Department, contributing to research, validation, and publication efforts while advancing integrated photonics for space systems. A U.S.

Qualifications

• PhD required or conferred within last 12 months in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Optics.
• Lab experience with photonic, electronic, quantum, or RF systems.
• Experience with simulation design, layout, and fabrication of integrated photonic devices.
• Ability to use foundry PDKs to design and manufacture photonics.

Responsibilities

• Ideate PIC devices, circuits, and subsystems.
• Design, tapeout, test, and measurement of PIC structures.
• Plan experiments and analyze data for performance metrics and reliability.
• Collaborate with internal/external teams and guide design reviews.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Lumerical

KLayout

Spark Photonics

GDSFactory

PDK usage

Data analytics

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics

Tools

Lumerical

KLayout

Spark Photonics

GDSfactory

PDK usage

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) supports the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through scientific research and the application of advanced technologies. PSL has more than 150 specialized laboratories used to test, analyze, and troubleshoot virtually every aspect of rocket and satellite system design, development, construction, deployment, and operation. The expertise of the laboratories’ technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems. The Electronics and Photonics Laboratory (EPL) focuses on areas of electronics and photonics directed towards development of new capabilities for space systems, as well as ensuring that new and existing systems reliably deliver 100% mission success in the rigors of the space environment. Within EPL, The Photonics Technology Department (PTD) focuses on laser-based technology research and development for space systems, with efforts in integrated photonics, quantum photonics, microwave photonics, LiDAR, atomic clocks, and others. The Photonics Technology Department (PTD) is hiring a Photonic Integrated Circuit Engineer (Sr. Member of Technical Staff – Optical and Photonic Systems) to perform research and development and support program needs with a focus on design, test, and measurement of PIC technology. The candidate must demonstrate a deep understanding in this field with relevant work experience (either in previous employment and/or during their PhD studies) Highlights of our lab's capabilities can be seen here: Virtual Tour The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, onsite at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Ideate novel PIC devices, circuits, and/or sub-systems
• Design, tapeout, test & measurement of novel PIC structures in commercial fabs
• Plan and execute experiments and data analysis with a focus on characterization, performance metrics, and reliability
• Simulate and extract useful information to understand experimental results and aid in development of novel PIC architectures
• Foster innovation by proposing new research and development projects and directions in the field of PICs
• Engage with space programs, customers, and external collaborators by providing technical guidance in design reviews, synthesizing information on current technology trends, and general subject matter expertise when needed
• Keep up to date with the latest literature
• Collaborate with staff from within the department and the organization at large on additional projects
• Work with management on creating and executing projects’ budgets and schedules
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed
• Training and mentorship will be provided (Optional)
• Attend conferences and publish in the literature

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related discipline(pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 year of industry work experience
• Laboratory experience with photonic, electronic, quantum, and/or RF systems and components
• Experience with simulation design, layout, and fabrication of integrated photonic devices and systems, including simulation software such as Lumerical or equivalents and layout software such as KLayout, Spark Photonics, GDSfactory or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to use foundry PDKs to design and manufacture integrated photonics is strongly required
• Knowledge of variety of material platforms used in integrated photonics such as silicon, lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, indium phosphide is desired
• Data analytics skills in Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, or related languages is required
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment on multiple projects
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to effectively convey technical information via oral and written forms
• Willing to travel occasionally to work locations or customer sites (approximately 10%), as required
• Ability to efficiently incorporate Claude Code in daily work flow for instrument control, data analytics, and other tasks.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Transcripts

What You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Active security clearance
• Knowledge of RF photonics and its applications
• Knowledge of high frequency opto-electrical test and measurement with a VNA
• Knowledge of photonic device fabrication and heterogeneous integration across material platforms
• Experience with component or system-level photonics simulation packages such as Ansys Lumerical and/or VPI Photonics
• Publications in the field of integrated photonics is strongly preferred