Photonics Engineer - Frederick, MD

Bascomhunter; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Photonics Engineer to join their defense electronics team. This role involves designing and optimizing photonic integrated circuits for critical applications in secure communications and optical signal processing. You will be at the forefront of photonics technology, working closely with a team of experts to develop innovative solutions tailored for military and aerospace environments. If you are passionate about advancing photonics technology and possess a strong background in circuit design, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to mission-critical systems and make a significant impact in the field.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in photonic circuit design and testing.
• Proficiency in photonic design tools and knowledge of semiconductor materials.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize photonic integrated circuits for defense applications.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate photonic components into systems.

Skills

Photonics Circuit Design

Optical Communication

Signal Processing

Electromagnetic Simulations

Optical Waveguides

Testing and Characterization

Education

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

M.S. or Ph.D. in Photonics

M.S. or Ph.D. in Physics

Tools

Lumerical

Ansys

COMSOL

Synopsys

Job description

Join to apply for the Photonics Engineer - Frederick, MD role at Bascom Hunter.

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.

Bascom Hunter provides solutions to the Department of Defense (DoD) and Aerospace markets across various disciplines. Our BH Tech division currently provides products and services across four areas: Advanced Systems, RF Front Ends, Neuromorphic Processors, and Photonics.

This role will report to the Senior Director of Advanced Systems for most responsibilities, and to the Director at the physical location for administrative needs.

Key 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.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

Bascom Hunter is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability/veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.

Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing