Integrated Photonics Engineer

Space Capital; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous equity

Competitive healthcare

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Azora seeks a photonics engineer to develop PIC technology for high‑sensitivity optical transceivers. You will design, simulate, and characterize integrated photonic devices and modules; shepherding them from foundry tape‑out through packaging and system integration.

You will own tape‑outs on silicon photonics, SiN, or InP platforms, including DRC, layout, and PDK workflows. Develop test plans and perform wafer‑ and chip‑level characterization for end‑to‑end performance.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field (or equivalent industry experience).
• 3+ years of hands‑on PIC design and characterization experience.
• Proficiency with photonic simulation and layout tools (Lumerical, Synopsys, KLayout, IPKISS, or similar).
• Experience with at least one commercial foundry PDK and tape‑out cycle.
• Strong lab skills: fiber alignment, RF probing, optical test instrumentation (OSA, LCA, tunable lasers).

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate integrated photonic components and circuits: waveguides, couplers, 90° hybrids, MZI modulators, phase shifters, photodetector interfaces, and on‑chip filters.
• Own foundry tape‑outs on silicon photonics, SiN, or InP platforms, including DRC, layout, and process design kit (PDK) workflows.
• Develop test plans and carry out wafer‑and‑chip‑level characterization: insertion loss, polarization behavior, bandwidth, responsivity, and phase noise.
• Work with packaging partners on fiber attach, hermetic packaging, and co‑packaging with electronics for space environments.
• Integrate PICs into coherent and photon‑counting receiver chains and validate end‑to‑end sensitivity against quantum‑limit targets.
• Assess radiation tolerance and thermal behavior of photonic devices for flight applications.
• Collaborate with mixed‑signal and FPGA engineers on driver/TIA interfaces and DSP requirements.

Skills

PIC design

Photonic characterization

Lab skills

Space qualification knowledge

Education

MS/PhD in Photonics or EE

Tools

Lumerical

Synopsys

KLayout

IPKISS

PDK workflows

Job description

Role

Develop the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology at the heart of Azora's high-sensitivity optical transceivers. You will design, simulate, and characterize integrated photonic devices and modules; shepherding them from foundry tape-out through packaging and system integration.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate integrated photonic components and circuits: waveguides, couplers, 90° hybrids, MZI modulators, phase shifters, photodetector interfaces, and on‑chip filters.
• Own foundry tape‑outs on silicon photonics, SiN, or InP platforms, including DRC, layout, and process design kit (PDK) workflows.
• Develop test plans and carry out wafer‑and‑chip‑level characterization: insertion loss, polarization behavior, bandwidth, responsivity, and phase noise.
• Work with packaging partners on fiber attach, hermetic packaging, and co‑packaging with electronics for space environments.
• Integrate PICs into coherent and photon‑counting receiver chains and validate end‑to‑end sensitivity against quantum‑limit targets.
• Assess radiation tolerance and thermal behavior of photonic devices for flight applications.
• Collaborate with mixed‑signal and FPGA engineers on driver/TIA interfaces and DSP requirements.

Required Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field (or equivalent industry experience).
• 3+ years of hands‑on PIC design and characterization experience.
• Proficiency with photonic simulation and layout tools (Lumerical, Synopsys, KLayout, IPKISS, or similar).
• Experience with at least one commercial foundry PDK and tape‑out cycle.
• Strong lab skills: fiber alignment, RF probing, optical test instrumentation (OSA, LCA, tunable lasers).

Preferred

• Experience with coherent optical communications (DP-QPSK/QAM, DSP‑based receivers) and/or photon‑counting detection.
• Familiarity with free‑space‑to‑chip coupling, optical phased arrays, or integrated beam steering.
• Knowledge of space qualification of photonic components (radiation, TVAC, vibration).
• Experience with hybrid integration (III‑V on Si, micro‑transfer printing) or co‑packaged optics.

Location

This is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for field deployment and vendor/manufacturing visits.

Benefits

• Generous equity
• Competitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)
• 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO

EEO & Reasonable Accommodations

• Azora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting [e-mail]

Export Control

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Salary Ranges Are Based On The Following Criteria

• Final salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.

About This Company

Azora is building high‑bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on‑and off‑world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.