Director, Silicon Photonics Design

Acara Solutions, Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 304,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking a Director of Silicon Photonics Design in Mountain View, CA to lead the design team and drive silicon photonics programs across AI data centers, automotive, and industrial markets. You will own tapeouts, collaborate with architecture, fab, and cross-functional teams, and deliver robust devices from concept through test.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in silicon photonics design, 3+ years leading teams, and a strong track record of successful tape-outs and optical

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years experience in silicon photonics design.
• Minimum 3 years experience leading design teams to deliver products.
• Experience with DFMEA and tapeouts is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Work with architecture, fab and cross functional design teams to deliver products on tight timelines.
• Own the scoping of various tapeouts to manage balance between development milestones and product timelines/ intercepts.
• Own DFMEA of silicon photonics for various product lines.
• Understand the fab process to take into account design-process interactions.
• Own the characterization of silicon photonics tapeouts with clear test and reliability plans - assist with execution as needed.
• Work with test team to define and develop characterization for new devices

Skills

Silicon photonics design

Team leadership

Tools

Optical simulation software

Job description

Job Title: Director, Silicon Photonics Design

Location: Mountain View, CA

Employment Type: Direct/Full-time

Compensation: Base Salary between $195k-$304k

Schedule: normal day hours

About the Opportunity:

We are looking for an expert in Photonics engineering to join our core engineering team and lead the design team to deliver silicon photonics across multiple verticals including AI Data Centers, Automotive and Industrial Automation

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Sound like a good fit?

What You’ll Do:

• Work closely with architecture, fab and cross functional design teams to deliver products on tight timelines
• Own the scoping of various tapeouts to manage balance between development milestones and product timelines/ intercepts
• Own DFMEA of silicon photonics for various product lines
• Understand the fab process to take into account design-process interactions
• Own the characterization of silicon photonics tapeouts with clear test and reliability plans - assist with execution as needed
• Work with test team to define and develop characterization for new devices

Job Requirements

What You’ll Bring:

• Minimum 8 years experience in silicon photonics design
• Minimum 3 years experience leading design teams to deliver products

What Sets You Apart:

• Strong background and experience designing photonics devices into foundries
• Experience with delivering complex photonics circuits taking into account system constraints and interactions
• Experience with full successful design, tape-out, and test cycles
• Experience with back reflection and stray light management strategies
• Experience in optical simulation software to evaluate optical designs
• Experience in qualifying high volume photonics components

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.