Principal ASIC Engineer (Mixed-Signal)

Voyant Photonics; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Catered lunch at HQ

Remote options available

Job summary

Voyant Photonics is seeking a Principal Mixed Signal ASIC Engineer in New York, NY. You will establish and lead our custom IC program, architect the ASIC strategy, select tools and processes, and build a team to deliver silicon powering our frontier hardware.

The role starts hands-on (>80% IC design) with a clear path to technical leadership as we scale, collaborating across photonics, systems and FPGA/digital teams. NYC preferred, remote options available.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of analog and mixed-signal IC design with 80/20 analog-to-digital focus.
• Proven track record leading tapeouts from concept to production silicon.
• Deep expertise in low-noise analog circuits and TIAs.
• Experience with test plans for analog ASICs at OSAT partners.
• Strong understanding of ADCs, DACs, bias circuits and power management.
• Ability to work with mature and advanced digital designs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Drive analog tapeouts from concept to production across nodes (130 nm and below).
• Design ultra-low-noise TIAs and related front-end circuits.
• Develop mixed-signal blocks interfacing with photonic ICs.
• Establish ASIC development environment: tools, flows and verification standards.
• Collaborate with photonics, systems, and FPGA/digital teams for co-design.
• Provide HDL/architectural input to external digital design partners.
• Hire and mentor a small analog and digital IC design team.

Skills

Analog design

Mixed-signal design

Tapeouts

Low-noise TIAs

HDL collaboration

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

EDA tools

OSAT partnerships

Job description

About us

Voyant Photonics is bushing the boundaries of silicon photonic chips that steer and switch light at high speed. They power next generation, chip-scale FMCW LiDAR for robotics and autonomy, and optical circuit switches (OCS) for AI data centers. Based in NYC, we’re a hands-on team designing, building, and deploying frontier hardware to solve problems that matter, from how machines see to how AI scales.

About us

Voyant Photonics is bushing the boundaries of silicon photonic chips that steer and switch light at high speed. They power next generation, chip-scale FMCW LiDAR for robotics and autonomy, and optical circuit switches (OCS) for AI data centers. Based in NYC, we’re a hands-on team designing, building, and deploying frontier hardware to solve problems that matter, from how machines see to how AI scales.

About the Role

We're hiring our first Principal Mixed Signal ASIC Engineer to establish and lead our custom IC development program. This is a ground-floor opportunity to architect the ASIC strategy, select tools and processes, build a team, and deliver working silicon that directly enables our product roadmap. You'll work at the intersection of analog design, photonics, and high-volume manufacturing - solving technically challenging problems while enjoying the autonomy and impact of being the foundational technical hire in this domain.

The role starts hands-on (>80% IC design work) with a clear path to technical leadership and team management as we scale. If you're energized by the idea of taking full ownership - from concept through production silicon - this is your chance to define how we build ASICs.

Location: NYC preferred, with remote options available. If you're open to relocating, we’re happy to support you through the process.

What You'll Do

• Drive analog tapeouts from concept to production across different technology nodes (130 nm and below, including BCD processes)
• Design ultra-low-noise transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) achieving low pA/√Hz noise performance
• Develop mixed-signal circuits including amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, and power management blocks that interface directly with photonic ICs
• Establish the ASIC development environment: select and deploy EDA tools, define design flows, and set standards for verification and validation
• Collaborate closely with photonics designers, systems engineers, and FPGA/digital design teams to ensure seamless co-design
• Provide HDL and architectural input to our external digital design partner (you won't own place-and-route for advanced node digital, but you'll guide the requirements)
• Hire and mentor a small team of analog and digital IC designers

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of experience in analog and mixed-signal IC design with an 80/20 analog-to-digital focus
• Proven track record leading multiple tapeouts from concept to production silicon
• Deep expertise in low-noise analog circuit design, particularly transimpedance amplifiers or similar precision front-end circuits
• Knowledge of test plan development for analog ASICs at OSAT partners
• Strong understanding of mixed-signal design: ADCs, DACs, bias circuits, and power management
• Experience working in both mature nodes and interfacing with advanced node digital design
• Ability to hit the ground running: we need working silicon in 9-12 months
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills—you'll work across disciplines daily

Nice to Have

• Experience with photonic IC co-design or interfacing analog circuits with optical components
• Knowledge of advanced packaging techniques (chiplets, heterogeneous integration, 2.5D/3D)
• Background in design-for-manufacturability
• Understanding of commercial IP ecosystems, build vs buy tradeoffs, selection, and license negotiation

Life at Voyant

We build frontier hardware & systems from our lab and office in Midtown Manhattan, where optical tables, lab benches and electronics sit alongside traditional office space. Our work is hands-on and primarily in person, but we don’t run on a rigid 9-to-5.

We partner with customers across time zones, so some calls start early or run late, and we adjust schedules around them. We run a high-trust, high-accountability environment: you’ll own meaningful work, move quickly and often wear more than one hat. Voyant provides catered lunch every day at HQ, and we’re a diverse group of food lovers from around the world who enjoy sharing food, culture and technical ideas around the lunch table.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Voyant Photonics is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Compensation Range: $170K - $260K