Senior Photonics Architect – Advanced Optical Interconnects

Coherent Corp.; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is actively seeking a senior technologist to drive early-stage assessments and incubate advanced photonics concepts. You will lead cross-functional evaluations, align architecture with roadmap priorities, and translate findings into actionable project options for executive stakeholders.

The role emphasizes deep device- and system-level expertise, collaboration across sites, and external ecosystem engagement to shape future optical interconnect and silicon photonics platforms.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field; PhD preferred.
• 15+ years in photonics or related fields with device and system-level experience.
• Experience with modeling, simulation, data analysis, and technical decision support.

Responsibilities

• Shape early-stage concepts, feasibility objectives, risk reduction plans, and prototype approaches for CTO topics.
• Lead evaluations, modeling, design reviews, and trade-off studies with contributors.
• Develop technical recommendations on performance, manufacturability, and transition readiness.
• Provide roadmap input across optical interconnect, silicon photonics, and related platforms.

Skills

Photonic systems

Optical interconnect

Device physics

Cross-functional leadership

System-level thinking

Technical communication

Education

Advanced degree in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Photonics (PhD preferred)

Tools

Python

COMSOL

Lumerical

MATLAB

Job description

Coherent Corp. is actively seeking a senior technologist to drive early-stage assessments and incubate advanced photonics concepts. You will lead cross-functional evaluations, align architecture with roadmap priorities, and translate findings into actionable project options for executive stakeholders.

The role emphasizes deep device- and system-level expertise, collaboration across sites, and external ecosystem engagement to shape future optical interconnect and silicon photonics platforms.