Senior Photonic Design Engineer

Lucidean; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity options

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible startup environment

Job summary

A cutting-edge optical communications company in California is seeking a Senior Photonic Design Engineer to lead the design, simulation, and optimization of high-performance photonic components for datacom transceivers. The ideal candidate will have an M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Physics, experience with photonic components, and skills in simulation tools. This role offers competitive compensation and the chance to work in an innovative startup environment focused on AI data centers.

Qualifications

• Experience with design, test, and integration of photonic components.
• Hands-on experience developing and executing test plans for PICs.
• Experience delivering photonic components and PICs for telecom or datacom.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize photonic components.
• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOEs).
• Conduct comprehensive testing and validation of high-speed PICs.

Skills

Design of Experiments (DOEs)

Teamwork and collaboration

Communication skills

Education

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

RSoft

Lumerical

HFSS

COMSOL

Sentaurus

Silvaco

GDS Factory

Luceda IPKISS

OptoCompiler

OptSim

VPI

Job description

Overview

Lucidean is pioneering the next generation of optical communications to unlock faster, more efficient AI data centers. Founded by leading photonics pioneers out of UC Santa Barbara, Lucidean’s game-changing link architecture and photonic integrated circuit designs are ideally suited to deliver coherent links in data center environments where incumbent technologies face fundamental barriers.

Role Overview

Senior Photonic Design Engineer at Lucidean

As a Senior Photonics Design Engineer at Lucidean, you will lead the design, simulation, and optimization of high-performance passive and active photonic components for next-generation datacom transceivers. In this role, you will work across the organization to own the PIC lifecycle end-to-end—from DOE-driven device design and layout through packaging, PCB integration, and system-level modeling using both simulated and measured data. You will define test methodologies and work closely with the team to execute validation and reliability studies, and drive yield and failure analysis to deliver robust, production-ready photonic solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize passive and active photonic components using a variety of simulation tools like RSoft, Lumerical, HFSS, EMPro, COMSOL, Sentaurus, and Silvaco.
• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOEs) to optimize photonic components.
• Design layouts for high-speed optical transmitters and receivers on tools such as GDS Factory, Luceda IPKISS, and OptoCompiler.
• Perform system-level simulations, integrating both simulated and real test data, using tools such as OptSim and VPI.
• Oversee assembly, packaging, and integration of PICs with electronic components on PCBs.
• Define and implement standardized test plans for photonic components and PICs.
• Conduct comprehensive testing and validation of high-speed PICs and optoelectronic assemblies, including transmitters and receivers.
• Define and execute reliability studies and failure analysis for photonic components, PICs and optoelectronic assemblies.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Experience with design, test, and integration of photonic components for telecom or datacom transceivers, including lasers, MZMs, photodiodes, and passive components
• Experience delivering photonic components and PICs for telecom or datacom products.
• Hands‑on experience developing and executing test plans for PICs.
• Experience with PIC product packaging, testing, and qualification.
• Proficiency in the simulation and design tools listed under Key Responsibilities.
• Strong teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• High-speed modulator and detector design and test experience.
• Yield, reliability and failure analysis experience.

Why Join Lucidean?

• Push the frontier of optical interconnect technologies for AI computing in exciting start-up.
• Work alongside a dedicated, diverse team focused on making a tangible impact.
• Contribute to and help shape a flexible and dynamic startup environment with a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Competitive salary, equity options, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Lucidean provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Lucidean does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.