Lead Integrated Photonics Simulation and Layout Engineer

Socket.dev; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 146,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO, paid holidays

Parental/adoption leave

Job summary

IonQ, Inc. in Boston, MA, seeks a Lead Integrated Photonic Simulation & Layout Engineer to drive photonic device layout and PDK development for quantum photonic platforms. You will own tapeouts, collaborate with foundries, and push design parity with cutting-edge quantum technologies.

The role demands deep photonics expertise, Python layout automation, and strong cross‑functional communication with design, fabrication, and test teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing devices in diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, or ion trap photonics platforms.
• Proficiency with photonic simulation tools (Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL).
• Extensive hands-on experience generating layout for integrated photonic circuits, including full-reticle tapeouts.
• Deep expertise with Python-based photonic layout tools (KLayout, gdsfactory, Luceda IPKISS) and PDK development workflows.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills across design, fabrication, and test teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead component design and layout for PDK development with commercial photonic foundries.
• Support design and layout for quantum photonic technologies including diamond photonics and ion trap photonics.
• Own full-reticle tapeouts from floorplanning through GDS generation and physical verification.
• Partner with fabrication and test teams to validate PDK components against measured performance.

Skills

Phonics design experience

Python photonic tooling

Strong communication

Education

PhD in electrical engineering or physics

Tools

Lumerical

Tidy3D

COMSOL

KLayout

gdsfactory

Luceda IPKISS

Job description

About IonQ:

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.

Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid options available) Travel: Less than 10% travel Job ID: 1801

The Role:

We are looking for a Lead Integrated Photonic Simulation & Layout Engineer. In this role, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world's most complex problems.

In this role, you will lead the layout of state-of-the-art photonic integrated devices and circuits, with a primary focus on supporting PDK development with commercial foundries. You will also contribute to design and layout for quantum photonic platforms, including diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, and ion trap photonics. As part of our research organization, your work will be driven by ambitious system-level specifications, pushing the boundaries of current design capabilities to achieve unprecedented device performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead component design and layout in support of PDK development with commercial photonic foundries, building and maintaining parameterized component cell (PCell) libraries with EPDA support, and automated layout workflows.
• Support design and layout for quantum photonic technologies, including diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, and ion trap photonics.
• Own full-reticle tapeouts from floorplanning through GDS generation, including physical verification (DRC, LVS) and leading layout reviews.
• Partner with internal fabrication and test teams to validate PDK components against measured device performance.

Requirements

• A PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing devices in diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, or ion trap photonics platforms, and proficiency with photonic simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical, Tidy3D, or COMSOL).
• Extensive hands‑on experience generating layout for integrated photonic circuits, including ownership of full‑reticle tapeouts with commercial foundries.
• Deep expertise with Python-based photonic layout tools (e.g., KLayout, gdsfactory, or Luceda IPKISS) and PDK development workflows.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of collaborating effectively across design, fabrication, and test teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or supporting PDKs for commercial photonic foundries.
• Proficiency with agentic AI workflows (e.g., Claude Code) to accelerate design and layout work.
• Strong software engineering skills, including Python layout automation, version control, and physical verification (DRC, LVS, ERC).
• Familiarity with architectures for distributed quantum computing, sensing, and networking.

The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

Wage Transparency: $145,920 – $209,241 USD

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs.

The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

US Non-Technical Jobs.

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.