Photonics Engineer

IC Resources; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

IC Resources is seeking a Photonics Engineer with strong hands-on experience in PIC layout to join a rapidly growing quantum computing company. You will work at the intersection of integrated photonics, simulation, and chip fabrication.

The role involves owning complex PIC layouts, optimizing waveguides, modulators, and fiber-to-chip interfaces, translating designs into fabrication-ready layouts, and applying Python and AI-assisted automation to speed up workflows.

Qualifications

• Strong PIC / integrated photonics layout experience.
• Experience developing complex layouts from scratch.
• Familiarity with GDS/GDSII and programmatic photonics tools.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop complex PIC layouts for photonic circuits.
• Optimize layouts for waveguides, crossings, modulators, couplers, and fiber interfaces.
• Translate designs and simulations into fabrication-ready layouts.
• Work with GDS/GDSII, PDKs, and photonic layout workflows.
• Use gdsfactory, Lumerical, and Tidy3D to prototype layouts.
• Conduct simulations and support fabrication, tapeout, and testing.
• Apply Python and AI-assisted tools to speed up workflows.

Skills

PIC layout

Complex layouts

Programmatic photonics tools

AI-assisted workflows

Education

PhD in Photonics/Optics/Applied Physics

Tools

GDS/GDSII

PDKs

gdsfactory

Lumerical

Tidy3D

Job description

Photonics Engineer - Integrated Photonics / PIC Layout

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a rapidly growing quantum computing company to hire a Photonics Engineer with strong hands-on experience in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) layout.

This is a highly technical, hands-on engineering role working at the intersection of integrated photonics, quantum technology, physical simulation, and photonic chip development.

You will work on complex photonic layouts involving components such as waveguides, crossings, modulators, and fiber-to-chip interfaces, while collaborating closely with engineers and scientists across photonic design, simulation, fabrication, and testing.

What You’ll Work On

Your work may include:

• Owning and developing complex photonic integrated circuit layouts
• Creating and optimizing layouts for waveguides, crossings, modulators, couplers, fiber interfaces, and passive photonic components
• Translating photonic designs and simulations into fabrication-ready layouts
• Working with GDS/GDSII, PDKs, and photonic layout workflows
• Using tools such as gdsfactory, Lumerical, and Tidy3D
• Performing physical and electromagnetic simulations of photonic structures
• Supporting photonic chip fabrication and tapeout
• Supporting testing and characterization of fabricated photonic chips
• Performing or supporting fiber-to-chip alignment and photonic chip measurements
• Identifying and solving complex layout, routing, and integration challenges
• Using Python, AI-assisted engineering tools, and automation to improve and accelerate photonic layout workflows

What We’re Looking For

We’d like to see:

• Strong experience with PIC / integrated photonics layout
• Experience developing complex layouts rather than simply reviewing or making minor modifications to existing designs
• Knowledge of integrated photonic components such as waveguides, crossings, modulators, couplers, and other passive components
• Experience with GDS/GDSII-based photonic design and layout
• Familiarity with gdsfactory or comparable programmatic photonic layout tools
• Experience with photonic simulation tools such as Lumerical, Tidy3D, FDTD, or comparable platforms
• Strong fundamentals in photonics, optics, or integrated photonics
• Ability to understand physical constraints and translate designs into practical, manufacturable layouts
• Strong technical problem‑solving skills and the ability to independently handle complex layout challenges
• Interest in using AI and automation to improve engineering and layout workflows

Experience & Education

A PhD in Photonics, Optics, Applied Physics, Physics, or a closely related discipline is preferred, particularly when paired with hands on industry experience.

Compensation

Competitive Compensation + Equity

Who Should Apply

If you have strong PIC layout experience, understand integrated photonics, and are excited about applying simulation, automation, and AI to increasingly complex photonic systems, we’d like to hear from you.