Senior Photonic Device Architect for Quantum Systems

IonQ, Inc.; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 212,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

IonQ, Inc. is seeking a Principal Photonic Device Design Engineer to lead semiconductor laser development and heterogeneous photonic integration. You will define architectures, guide designs from concept to qualification, and mentor engineers across photonics, packaging, test, and system teams.

Based onsite in Santa Barbara, CA, you will drive cross-disciplinary programs, partner with foundries and suppliers, and shape technology roadmaps for scalable quantum and classical systems.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, Photonics, Materials Science, or related field with 5+ years of experience, or 8+ years industry experience.
• Deep expertise in semiconductor lasers, III-V photonics, integrated photonics, or heterogeneous photonic integration.
• Proven success developing active photonic devices through multiple design, fabrication, and characterization cycles.
• Extensive experience with photonic-device modeling, simulation, mask layout, fabrication, and design verification.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor laser physics, III-V materials, epitaxial structures, optical cavities, thermal behavior, and fabrication processes.
• Proven ability to define device architectures, resolve complex multidisciplinary problems, and drive technology from development through qualification or production.
• Experience leading technical initiatives, influencing engineering decisions, and mentoring engineers.
• Excellent technical communication, collaboration, documentation, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of semiconductor lasers and related active photonic-device architectures.
• Translate product and system requirements into device specifications, epitaxial designs, optical structures, mask layouts, and verification plans.
• Own critical device designs from modeling and simulation through tape-out, fabrication, characterization, optimization, and production qualification.
• Establish design methodologies, modeling practices, design rules, and verification standards.
• Lead design-of-experiment activities and data analysis to improve device performance, yield, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Partner with process engineers, epitaxial suppliers, and foundries to align device designs with fabrication capabilities and manufacturing requirements.
• Lead cross-functional technical collaboration across photonics, packaging, test, electronics, controls, product, and system engineering.
• Provide technical direction, design reviews, and mentorship to engineers, and support technology transfer and production ramp.

Skills

Semiconductor lasers

III-V photonics

Integrated photonics

Device architecture

Mentoring engineers

Technical communication

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Mask layout design

Photonic-device modeling

Fabrication processes

Job description

IonQ, Inc. is seeking a Principal Photonic Device Design Engineer to lead semiconductor laser development and heterogeneous photonic integration. You will define architectures, guide designs from concept to qualification, and mentor engineers across photonics, packaging, test, and system teams.

Based onsite in Santa Barbara, CA, you will drive cross-disciplinary programs, partner with foundries and suppliers, and shape technology roadmaps for scalable quantum and classical systems.