Principal High-Speed Photonics Design Engineer

Neara; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 305,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenLight is seeking a Principal High-Speed Photonics Design Engineer to lead the development and integration of high-speed optoelectronic devices on a silicon-IIIV platform. You will design modulators and detectors, simulate with industry tools, and collaborate across fabrication, packaging, and systems teams to validate devices and contribute to OpenLight’s PDK models.

The role requires a PhD with 10+ years in Si-Ge/III-V modulators, strong RF device physics knowledge, and hands-on experience

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials, Physics, or related field.
• 10+ years in designing Si-Ge and/or III-V high-speed modulators/detectors for transceivers.
• Strong background in semiconductor high-speed device physics (SiGe/III-V).
• 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 (transceivers a plus).
• Knowledge of fabrication processes for semiconductors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize high-speed III-V optical modulators and detectors (EAM, MZI, IIIV PIN, UTC).
• Analyze results vs simulations; refine designs and generate compact models for PDK.
• Publish and maintain equivalent circuit models; document OpenLight PDK materials and models.
• Collaborate with layout/fabrication to define masks and process flows for devices.
• Work with system engineers to integrate modulators into high-speed validation hardware.
• Support test engineers with high-speed device test development and characterization.
• Stay current with silicon photonics and III-V high-speed interconnect trends.
• Publish in journals/conferences and contribute ideas for patents.

Skills

High-speed theory

III-V photonics

Device modeling

Analytical thinking

Technical communication

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Related photonics field

Tools

Ansys HFSS

CST

ADS

Sentaurus TCAD

Crosslight

Job description

Principal High-Speed Photonics Design Engineer

Job type: Full Time · Department: Engineering · Work type: Hybrid · USD 225,000-305,000 / year

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

The Opportunity

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

Your Background Includes

• 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.

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.

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