Product Engineer, Custom

InvestedintheMission; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive Health Coverage

401(k) Retirement plans with employee匹

Paid parental leave

Life and disability insurance

Flexible hybrid or remote work and VAC

Commuter Benefits and Subsidy

Professional growth and mentorship

Job summary

HyperLight in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Application Engineer to drive MPW projects on our TFLN photonics platform. You will bridge design, fabrication and testing with customers, guiding tapeout planning and post‑fab validation.

This role requires cross‑functional collaboration, strong communication, and MPW/PDK exposure. A degree in EE/Physics/Optics and US work authorization are preferred, with a flexible hybrid or remote work setup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related field.
• MPW or PDK experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with microwave circuits, electro-optic modulators, and layout tools (KLayout), mask prep and GDS flows.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Comfortable working with external customers and cross-disciplinary teams.
• Authorization to work in the US is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical point of contact for customers participating in MPW runs.
• Manage MPW schedules, PDK, and deliverables.
• Assist customers with PDK usage, layout reviews, DRC, and tapeout submission.
• Coordinate with internal teams on mask preparation, process compatibility and wafer testing.
• Drive continuous improvement in MPW processes and documentation.
• Support customer onboarding and training sessions.

Skills

Customer-facing communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project coordination

Strong organizational skills

US work authorization

Education

MS/BS in EE/Physics/Optics

Tools

KLayout

GDSII

Job description

HyperLight is at the forefront of the commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics - a material and process technology that is enabling high-performance, scalable optical components across AI/datacom infrastructure, hyperscale computing, quantum computing, sensing, and beyond. Founded in 2018 and backed by leading venture capital, we’ve built a team and a platform focused on real-world mass deployment of TFLN photonics technology.

At the core of our work is the TFLN Chiplet™ platform — a modular, integrated architecture designed for scalability, manufacturability, and seamless integration into complex systems. It offers a rare combination of extraordinary performance and industrial readiness, enabling system developers across applications to deploy the technology fast and ready. We partner with our customers and suppliers from conceptualization, design, and prototyping phases, all the way through mass production to ensure smooth and rapid deployment of TFLN photonic technology.

We believe our platform is the key, in the golden age of integrated photonics, to empower humanity to the next level. We assembled a world class team covering engineering, business and operations. We believe in the power of integrity, innovation, collaboration and pragmatic solutions. Our diverse team thrives on challenges and is united by a shared commitment to excellence. We take pride in tackling complex challenges with curiosity, humility, and a deep sense of care for one another.

Join us to make a real-world impact in a fast-paced, collaborative and high-growth environment.

Our growing team is looking for an Application Engineer to drive and support custom projects for our cutting-edge photonic and electro-optic Thin Film Lithium Niobate platform. The role bridges our internal design, fabrication, and testing teams with a growing customer base. As an Application Engineer, you will play a critical role in guiding customers through the MPW lifecycle, from tapeout planning to post-fab testing. You will work cross-functionally to define tapeout windows, validate design rules, and coordinate technical deliverables that drive customer success.

• Serve as the technical point of contact for customers participating in MPW runs
• Manage MPW schedules, PDK, and deliverables
• Assist customers with PDK usage, layout reviews, DRC, and tapeout submission
• Coordinate with internal teams on mask preparation, process compatibility and wafer testing
• Drive continuous improvement in MPW processes and documentation
• Support customer onboarding and training sessions

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related field
• Proven experience in semiconductor/optics/photonics industry; MPW or PDK experience a plus
• Familiarity with basics of microwave circuits and components, electro-optic modulators, layout tools (e.g., KLayout), mask preparation and GDS flows
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Comfortable working with external customers and cross-disciplinary teams
• Authorization to work in the US is required.

• Competitive compensation.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: family and individual plans, vision, dental.
• 401(k) Retirement plans with employee matching.
• Paid parental leave.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Flexible hybrid or remote work and vacation policies.
• Commuter Benefits and Subsidy.
• Professional growth and mentorship opportunities

HyperLight is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.