Optical Engineer III

INSPYR Solutions; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical benefits

Competitive pay

401(k) Retirement plan

Job summary

INSPYR Solutions seeks an Optical Engineer to design, simulate, and optimize Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for next‑gen near-to‑eye displays. You will develop fabrication‑ready layouts, ensuring PDK compliance and full tapeout support.

The role requires 3+ years in PIC design/analysis, plus hands‑on experience with tools like Lumerical, Ansys Photonics, or Synopsys RSoft. A MS/PhD is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years designing, simulating, and laying out Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for visible or IR wavelengths.
• Experience with photonic simulation tools such as Lumerical (FDTD/MODE/DEVICE), Ansys Photonics, Synopsys RSoft, or COMSOL Multiphysics.
• 2+ years using PIC layout tools such as KLayout, Cadence Virtuoso, gdsfactory, including GDSII generation and foundry PDK integration.
• Experience supporting commercial foundry tapeouts and understanding fabrication constraints.
• 2+ years using Python or MATLAB for scripting, automation, or analysis.
• MS or preferably PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for near-to-eye display tech.
• Develop fabrication-ready PIC layouts, ensuring foundry PDK compliance and tapeout support.
• Model, optimize, and analyze photonic devices to improve performance and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with researchers, TPMs, and engineering leadership through the design-to-fabrication lifecycle.
• Support R&D efforts focused on integrated photonics and display technologies.

Skills

PIC design

Photonic simulation

Layout tools

Foundry tapeouts

Python/MATLAB

Education

MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering or Optical Sciences

Tools

Lumerical

Ansys Photonics

Synopsys RSoft

KLayout

Job description

Title: Optical Engineer - Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Design & Analysis

Location: Redmond, WA (Onsite)

Duration: 12 months

Compensation: $46 - $66

Work Requirements: US Citizen, GC Holders or Authorized to Work in the U.S.

Description

Summary

• Design, simulate, and optimize Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for next-generation near-to-eye display technologies.
• Develop fabrication-ready PIC layouts, ensuring compliance with foundry PDKs and supporting the full tapeout process.
• Perform photonic device modeling, optimization, and parametric analysis to improve performance and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with researchers, TPMs, and engineering leadership throughout the design-to-fabrication lifecycle.
• Support cutting-edge R&D efforts focused on integrated photonics and display technologies.

Must-Have Skills

• 3+ years designing, simulating, and laying out Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for visible or IR wavelengths.
• Experience with photonic simulation tools such as Lumerical (FDTD/MODE/DEVICE), Ansys Photonics, Synopsys RSoft, or COMSOL Multiphysics.
• 2+ years using PIC layout tools such as KLayout, Cadence Virtuoso, gdsfactory, including GDSII generation and foundry PDK integration.
• Experience supporting commercial foundry tapeouts and understanding fabrication constraints.
• 2+ years using Python or MATLAB for scripting, automation, or analysis.
• MS or preferably PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, or a related field.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Active PIC design, fabrication, and validation (especially LiNbO or BTO platforms).
• Photonic device characterization (optical/electro-optic measurements).
• Fiber optics, free-space optics, PIC packaging.
• Statistical modeling, sensitivity analysis, and yield optimization.
• Circuit-level photonic simulation tools (Lumerical Interconnect, Synopsys OptSim, VPIphotonics).
• Semiconductor fabrication process knowledge and process-induced performance optimization.

Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Competitive pay
• 401(k) Retirement plan
• …and much more!

About INSPYR Solutions

Technology is our focus and quality is our commitment. As a national expert in delivering flexible technology and talent solutions, we strategically align industry and technical expertise with our clients' business objectives and cultural needs. Our solutions are tailored to each client and include a wide variety of professional services, project, and talent solutions. By always striving for excellence and focusing on the human aspect of our business, we work seamlessly with our talent and clients to match the right solutions to the right opportunities. Learn more about us at inspyrsolutions.com.

INSPYR Solutions provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, INSPYR Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

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