Principal High-Speed Photonics Design Engineer

OpenLight; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive stock options

401k matching

Unlimited vacation

Spot bonuses

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

OpenLight, a leader in Silicon Photonics, seeks a seasoned engineer to design and integrate high-speed opto-electronic devices within our heterogeneous silicon-III-V photonic platform. You will lead development of 200 Gbit/s+ modulators and detectors, support characterization, and build compact models for OpenLight’s PDK.

You will collaborate cross-functionally with PIC architects, reliability, fabrication, and packaging teams to bring photonic IC products to market.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials, Physics, or related field.
• Minimum 10+ years of industry experience in Si-Ge/III-V modulators and detectors.
• Deep knowledge of high-speed optoelectronic device theory.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize high-speed III-V-based optical modulators and detectors, including EAM and MZI structures.
• Analyze experimental results, compare with simulations, and refine device designs.
• Publish and maintain equivalent circuit models and generate design documentation for OpenLight PDK documents and models.
• Collaborate with layout and fabrication teams to define masks and process flows for photonic devices.
• Work with system engineers to integrate modulators into high-speed system validation hardware.
• Support test engineers with high-speed device test development and characterization.
• Stay updated with Silicon photonics and III-V high-speed modulators and detectors trends.
• Publish in journals and conferences; contribute to patent portfolio.

Skills

High-speed device physics

RF characterization

Device simulations

Circuit design tools

Technical documentation

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials, Physics, or related field

Tools

Ansys HFSS

CST

ADS

Sentaurus TCAD

Crosslight

Job description

As a member of OpenLight’s Silicon Photonics (SiPh) team, the candidate will be responsible for the development, design, and integration of high-speed opto-electronic devices in OpenLight’s proprietary heterogenous silicon-IIIV photonic platform. The candidate will lead the design of high-speed components (200 Gbit/s and beyond) including IIIV modulators and detectors. The candidate will also support characterization and validation of the fabricated device performance and build compact models for OpenLight’s open market PDK.

The successful candidate requires a deep knowledge of III-V opto-electronic high-speed device theory and a proven track-record in bringing photonic integrated circuit (PIC) based products to market. The candidate will work cross-functionally with PIC architects, high-speed systems, reliability, fabrication and packaging engineers in order to define, design and validate high-speed optoelectronic devices using OpenLight’s SiPh technology.

What You Will Do

• Design and optimize high-speed III-V-based optical modulators and detectors, including EAM and Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (MZIs), IIIV pin and UTC detectors, using industry-standard photonics design tools
• Analyze experimental results, compare them with simulations, and refine device designs and generate compact models for OpenLight PDK
• Publish and maintain equivalent circuit models and generate design documentation for high-speed photonic devices for OpenLight PDK documents and models
• Collaborate with layout and fabrication teams to define mask-layouts and process flows to fabricate photonic devices
• Work closely with system engineers to integrate modulators into high-speed system validation hardware
• Support test engineers with high-speed device test development and characterization
• Stay up-to-date with advancements and industry trends in Silicon photonics and III-V high-speed modulators, detectors and optical interconnect hardware
• Publish in technical journals, conferences, and submit novel ideas for patent generation to contribute to the company’s innovation portfolio
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials, Physics, or a related field
• Minimum 10+ years of industry experience designing Si-Ge and/or IIIV high-speed modulators and detectors for transceiver products
• Strong background in semiconductor high-speed device physics in Si-Ge and/or III-V material
• Hands-on experience with high-speed device simulations and circuit design tools (e.g Ansys HFSS, CST, ADS, Sentaurus TCAD, Crosslight)
• Experience with RF characterization of photonic devices (transceiver modules is a plus)
• Knowledge of relevant semiconductor fabrication processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and reporting

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.

OpenLight continues with a hybrid schedule, with a standard of three days/week in office; you select the days you're in, based on what's best for your work priorities.

OpenLight's salary for technical roles is dependent on the skills and experience of the individual, their primary work location, and other parameters; annual base salary for a principal-level role will generally be somewhere between $200,000-$300,000. In addition to cash compensation, OpenLight offers incentive stock options (ISOs), generous insurance support, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, spot bonuses, and a positive work environment. 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.