Photonics Engineer

Actalent; Frederick (MD); Remote; USD 72,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks a highly skilled Photonics Engineer specializing in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design to enhance defense electronics. This remote position requires expertise in optical communication and collaboration with engineers to innovate secure photonic solutions for military applications.

Benefits

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D)

Short and long-term disability

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in photonic circuit design, including layout, simulation, and testing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Strong understanding of optical waveguides, modulators, and detectors.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for defense applications.
• Collaborate with RF, electronic, and mechanical engineers to integrate photonic components.
• Conduct design verification, testing, and characterization ensuring compliance with military standards.

Skills

Electromagnetic simulations

Optical signal processing

Photonic integrated circuits design

Optical communication

RF Photonics

Education

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or Physics

Tools

Lumerical

Ansys

COMSOL

Synopsys

Job description

Join to apply for the Photonics Engineer role at Actalent

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Photonics Engineer role at Actalent

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Photonics Engineer with expertise in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design to join our defense electronics team. The ideal candidate will contribute to the development of advanced photonic solutions for secure communications, sensing, and high-speed optical signal processing applications. You will work on the cutting edge of photonics technology, integrating optical and electronic components for mission-critical defense systems.

Job Title: Photonics Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Photonics Engineer with expertise in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design to join our defense electronics team. The ideal candidate will contribute to the development of advanced photonic solutions for secure communications, sensing, and high-speed optical signal processing applications. You will work on the cutting edge of photonics technology, integrating optical and electronic components for mission-critical defense systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for applications in defense electronics, including optical communication, signal processing, and sensing.
• Develop and implement novel photonic architectures tailored to military and aerospace environments.
• Perform electromagnetic, optical, and thermal simulations to ensure the reliability and performance of photonic devices.
• Work with semiconductor foundries to guide fabrication processes, including material selection, lithography, and packaging of PICs.
• Conduct design verification, testing, and characterization of photonic devices, ensuring compliance with military and industry standards.
• Collaborate with RF, electronic, and mechanical engineers to integrate photonic components into larger defense systems.
• Evaluate and mitigate potential vulnerabilities in photonic circuits to ensure security and resilience in military applications.
• Stay updated on emerging trends in photonics and defense technologies, contributing to R&D roadmaps and funding proposals.
• Support the transition of prototypes to production, working with manufacturing and quality assurance teams.
  
  

Essential Skills

• Expertise in designing photonic integrated circuits.
• Experience with RF Photonics.
• Proficiency in photonic design tools (Lumerical, Ansys, COMSOL, Synopsys, or equivalent).
• Experience with silicon photonics, InP, or other III-V semiconductor materials for photonic integration.
• Strong understanding of optical waveguides, modulators, detectors, and photonic signal processing techniques.
• Familiarity with foundry PDKs and tape-out processes for photonic fabrication.
• Hands-on experience with optical and RF testing, including fiber optics, free-space optics, and laser systems.
• Knowledge of defense industry standards and requirements related to photonics and secure communications.
  
  

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or a related field with a focus on photonic integrated circuits.
• 3+ years of experience in photonic circuit design, including layout, simulation, and testing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  
  

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $72.11 - $96.15/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job

classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be

subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits

Available For This Temporary Role May Include The Following

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
  
  

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 2025.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Business Consulting and Services

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Actalent by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Engineer” roles.

Frederick, MD $72,600.00-$109,000.00 2 weeks ago

Gaithersburg, MD $135,000.00-$155,000.00 1 week ago

Gaithersburg, MD $125,000.00-$145,000.00 1 week ago

Applications Electrical Engineer, Zelisko Energy USA

Clarksburg, MD $115,000.00-$170,000.00 1 week ago

Gaithersburg, MD $120,000.00-$140,000.00 1 week ago

Frederick, MD $90,000.00-$125,000.00 5 days ago

Germantown, MD $90,000.00-$125,000.00 5 days ago

Gaithersburg, MD $116,227.90-$174,341.84 1 day ago

Germantown, MD $120,000.00-$120,000.00 2 days ago

Gaithersburg, MD $96,058.56-$144,081.59 1 month ago

Gaithersburg, MD $128,300.00-$200,450.00 6 days ago

Hagerstown, MD $85,768.30-$117,931.40 3 hours ago

Hagerstown, MD $98,633.53-$135,621.11 3 hours ago

DevOps Cloud Architect, Digital Engineering Solutions (Remote)

Frederick, MD $121,368.00-$212,368.00 3 hours ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.