Lead Photonics Simulation & 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

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.