Lead Photonics & Nanotechnology Engineer

Devyantram; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Devyantram seeks a Lead Photonics & Nanotechnology Engineer to design and integrate nanoscale intelligence hardware for the CEREBRION bionic brain platform. You will bridge photonics, MEMS/NEMS, and micro/nano-robotics from concept through fabrication and packaging.

You will mentor researchers, define long-term nanoscale hardware roadmaps, and lead cross-disciplinary collaboration with bioengineering and controls teams, delivering high-performance, energy-efficient systems.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of demonstrated expertise in photonics engineering and micro/nanoengineering.
• Strong MEMS/NEMS and nanofabrication experience.
• Proven ability to bridge theory, fabrication, and system-level integration.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate photonic circuits, waveguides, resonators, and interferometers.
• Develop optical interconnects and signal-routing subsystems.
• Work on optical memory and optical compute elements.
• Target high-bandwidth sensing, low-latency communication, and energy-efficient computation.
• Own photonics fabrication, testing, and characterization.
• Design MEMS/NEMS devices for sensing and signal transduction, actuation, and interfacing.
• Lead nano and microfabrication workflows from cleanroom through foundry.
• Define packaging, integration, and scaling strategy.

Skills

Photonics engineering

Micro/nanoengineering

MEMS/NEMS fabrication

System integration

Education

MS/PhD in Applied Physics or EE

Tools

Cleanroom equipment

Job description

Lead Photonics & Nanotechnology Engineer

Devyantram is building a unified platform of bionic robots, from nanoscale to humanoid, powered by a bionic brain system that fuses biotechnology, nanotechnology, and AI to tackle global challenges in climate, medicine, and defense.

Role Summary

You will lead the design and development of Devyantram's nano/microscale intelligence hardware, spanning micro and nano-robotic systems and the photonic and MEMS/NEMS subsystems that support the CEREBRION bionic brain platform. You are responsible for architecting intelligence-substrate hardware at the micro and nano scale, not just building individual components.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and simulate photonic circuits, waveguides, resonators, and interferometers.
• Develop optical interconnects and signal-routing subsystems.
• Work on optical memory and optical compute elements.
• Target high-bandwidth sensing, low-latency communication, and energy-efficient computation.
• Own photonics fabrication, testing, and characterization.
• Design MEMS/NEMS devices for sensing and signal transduction, actuation, and interfacing.
• Lead nano and microfabrication workflows from cleanroom through foundry.
• Define packaging, integration, and scaling strategy.

Micro/Nano-Robotic Systems

• Architect distributed micro and nano-robotic platforms and their coordination strategies.
• Enable cooperative, hierarchical, and adaptive behaviors across distributed units.

Compute Hardware

• Contribute to unconventional, brain-inspired compute hardware spanning photonic and electromechanical approaches.
• Translate cognitive and AI requirements into physical micro and nano implementations.
• Co-design with the bioengineering, mechatronics, and controls teams.

IP & Technical Leadership

• Generate foundational IP across photonics, MEMS/NEMS, and micro/nano-robotics.
• Lead invention disclosures and support patent strategy with counsel.
• Define the long‑term nanoscale‑intelligence hardware roadmap.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of demonstrated expertise in photonics engineering and micro/nanoengineering.
• Strong MEMS/NEMS and nanofabrication experience.
• Proven ability to bridge theory, fabrication, and system-level integration.

Strongly Preferred

• Optical or holographic computing.
• Unconventional or non‑von‑Neumann computing.
• Nanorobotics or microrobotics.
• Brain‑machine interfaces or neural probes.
• Advanced research lab or deep‑tech startup experience.

A Successful Candidate Will Be Measured By

• Functionality and performance of the nanoscale compute hardware.
• Successful design and fabrication of photonics and MEMS/NEMS systems.
• Functional autonomy and scalability of micro and nano‑robotic platforms.
• Reliability of hardware integration across subsystems.
• Strength, novelty, and defensibility of generated core IP.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.

The pay range for this role is: 150,000 - 170,000 USD per year (Ashburn, VA)