PIC Designer

Darwin Recruitment; Middletown (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks a Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Design Engineer to join a growing engineering team in New Jersey. You will design, simulate, test and analyse high-performance PICs for ultra-high-speed optical communications, reporting to the VP of Engineering.

The role requires hands-on lab experience, strong EM theory background and programming skills in MATLAB/Python/C/C++. Collaborate with fabrication partners to advance PIC technologies in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, Physics or closely related field.
• Strong theoretical understanding of electromagnetic wave theory.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience designing photonic integrated circuits.
• Hands-on PIC testing and characterising in a lab environment.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Programming experience with MATLAB, Python or C/C++.
• Familiarity with version control systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimise high-performance PICs for optical communications.
• Perform electromagnetic and photonic simulations to evaluate designs.
• Develop and execute laboratory test plans to characterise PIC performance.
• Analyse experimental data and correlate results with simulations.
• Collaborate with fabrication partners and internal teams to improve designs.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of PIC design, simulation and testing methodologies.

Skills

EM wave theory

PIC design

Lab testing

Analytical skills

Programming: MATLAB, Python, C/C++

Version control

Education

PhD in Engineering/Physics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Design Engineer

About the Company

An innovative semiconductor design company specialising in advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for optical communications, leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonics technology.

The business focuses on developing high-performance, application-specific photonic and electronic solutions designed to enable faster, more efficient data transmission.

This is an opportunity to join a growing engineering team working on next-generation integrated photonics technologies within a collaborative, fast-paced and innovation-driven environment. Team members are encouraged to take ownership, contribute across multiple areas of development and help solve complex engineering challenges.

Role Description

We are seeking a motivated Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Design Engineer to join a growing engineering team.

Reporting directly to the VP of Engineering, this role will focus on the design, simulation, testing and analysis of high-performance photonic integrated circuits for next-generation, ultra-high-speed optical communication systems.

This position is suited to a hands-on engineer with a strong theoretical foundation in photonics and electromagnetic theory, who is looking to contribute to the development of advanced PIC technologies in a dynamic engineering environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimise high-performance photonic integrated circuits for optical communications.
• Perform electromagnetic and photonic simulations to evaluate and refine PIC designs.
• Develop and execute laboratory test plans to characterise PIC performance.
• Analyse experimental data and correlate measured results with simulation outcomes.
• Collaborate with fabrication partners and internal engineering teams to iterate and improve designs.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of PIC design, simulation and testing methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, Physics or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong theoretical understanding of electromagnetic wave theory.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience designing photonic integrated circuits.
• Hands‑on experience testing and characterising PICs within a laboratory environment.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Programming experience with one or more of the following: MATLAB, Python, C/C++.
• Familiarity with version control systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with semiconductor fabrication processes.
• Previous experience designing silicon photonics PICs.
• Strong understanding of optical communication systems.
• Knowledge of intensity‑modulated direct‑detect (IM-DD) and coherent optical communication systems.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively.
• Previous industry experience and involvement in technology product development.