Photonics Process Integration Engineer

Neara; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Neara is seeking a Photonics Process Integration Engineer to join our OpenLight platform. You will manage heterogeneous Si-III-V wafer processes, collaborate with foundries, and drive yield improvements through SPC and DOE.

The role spans Si photonics, wafer bonding, and in-line metrology, with cross-functional teamwork across internal teams and external partners. The ideal candidate holds a PhD or MS with relevant experience, and excels at problem solving, communication, and leadership in a

Qualifications

• PhD or MS with relevant experience in photonics wafer processes.
• Deep hands-on knowledge of silicon photonic wafer processes and metrology.
• Experience with heterogeneous Si-III-V processes is highly preferred.
• Strong background in SPC and process data analysis.
• Leadership and ability to work cross-functionally with foundries and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end fabrication lot management and detailed fabrication planning.
• Lead process reviews with external foundries and monitor progress.
• Drive new process development for silicon/silicon nitride devices.
• Analyze inline metrology data and contribute to yield improvement.
• Oversee wafer bonding initiatives and DOE to enhance yield.
• Collaborate with foundries and internal teams to resolve issues.
• Develop control plans and specifications for manufacturable processes.

Skills

Statistical process control

Process development

Cross-functional leadership

Strong communication

Data analysis

Silicon photonics familiarity

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering or related

MS with 2-5 years experience

Tools

Ellipsometry

Profilometry

SEM

TEM

AFM

Job description

Photonics Process Integration Engineer

Job type: Full Time · Department: Operations · Work type: Hybrid · USD 140,000-190,000 / year

Santa Clara, California, United States; Goleta, California, United States

The Role

As our Photonics Process Integration Engineer, you will be an integral member of the OpenLight foundry and process team, with the key responsibility of the technical management of our heterogeneous Silicon-III-V photonic wafer process. You’ll work closely with external foundry partners, including silicon front end processing, heterogeneous wafer bonding, III-V post-bond wafer processing, and backend wafer processing (i.e., wafer bumping and singulation), to manage fabrication lots, implement associated control plans, and assure the process meets high volume manufacturing standards.

If you thrive in a fast-paced development environment and enjoy working cross-functionally with external foundry partners, internal device designers, photonic integrated circuit architects, layout engineers and program managers, this could be an excellent opportunity for you!

What You Will Do

• End-to-end fabrication lot management, including creating detailed fabrication plans, participate in mask layout reviews for DfM, lead process reviews with all external foundries, and real-time monitoring of fabrication lot progress to successful completion.

• Spearhead new process development initiatives centered around silicon/silicon nitride devices in close collaboration with internal teams and external foundry partners to facilitate the integration of advanced functionalities on the OpenLight heterogeneous Si Photonics platform.

• Gather, evaluate, and synthesize in-line process metrology data to generate statistical process variation charts (SPC), as well as electrical and optical process control monitor (PCM) results, contributing to the development of a yield improvement framework for the OpenLight heterogeneous silicon photonics platform.

• Oversee wafer bonding initiatives on the OpenLight heterogeneous silicon photonics platform, identify yield-limiting factors within the current workflow, and propose new design of experiments (DOE) to enhance yield.

• Track process issues, work closely with external foundries to resolve issues in a timely manner, and drive process failure analysis with external failure analysis labs and with internal stakeholders. Collaborate closely with internal teams to identify device yield limiting factors and drive failure analysis.

• Implement control plans and process specifications to assure a manufacturable process and meets product requirements.

• Assist in the development of new process modules as required for OpenLight’s process design kit (PDK) and product roadmap.

Your Background Includes

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Material Science, Applied Physics or related discipline, or MS degree with 2-5 years of relevant professional experience

• In-depth understanding and hands-on experience of silicon photonic wafer process development and manufacturing including but not limited to photolithography, plasma etching techniques, planarization & metallization.

• In-depth understanding and hands-on experience of Si/SiN or III-V process development and manufacturing. Strong preference for candidates with heterogeneous/hybrid Si-III-V experience.

• Experience with semiconductor metrology techniques – ellipsometry, profilometry, SEM, TEM, AFM.

• Expertise in IC wafer processing failure analysis techniques

• Solid understanding of statistical processes and analysis

• Hands-on experience with optical or electronic PCM and device data analysis

• Strong technical leadership and an ability to think independently

• Very strong problem solving, communication, organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

About OpenLight

OpenLight is growing as customer adoption and industry momentum continue to accelerate. The rapid growth of AI and cloud infrastructure is driving unprecedented demand for faster, more energy-efficient optical connectivity. We are addressing this challenge through a platform approach that simplifies the development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and accelerates industry adoption.

As part of our team, you will contribute to technologies that enable AI and hyperscale data centers, high-speed optical communications, advanced sensing applications, next-generation photonic integration, and more. Our team is collaborative and fast-moving, and you will have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions across technology, operations, and business growth.

If you are excited about solving challenging problems, advancing cutting-edge technology, and working with a highly collaborative team, we would love to hear from you.