Senior Photonics Design Engineer - Passives

Neara; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenLight is seeking a Senior Photonics Design Engineer - Passives to join its Silicon Photonics (SiPh) team in California. You will design and validate passive optical components on a heterogeneous silicon with III-V platform in a hybrid work setting.

The role requires deep expertise in passive SiPh devices, collaboration with PIC architects, process, layout, and test engineers, and development of compact models for the SiPh PDK. PhD and hands-on photonics experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Material Science, Applied Physics or related discipline.
• 1+ years of relevant professional experience after your degree.
• 3+ years of experience (including graduate school) with FDTD and EME simulations.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate passive optical components including multimode interference couplers, direction couplers, polarization beam splitters, adiabatic transitions between waveguide layers, grating couplers, and spot size converters.
• Generate datasheets, application notes, and user guides for devices.
• Define device CAD layouts in close collaboration with process and layout engineers.
• Develop compact models for OpenLight’s SiPh PDK.
• Work with process engineers to define and optimize the device structures and processes.
• Work closely with test engineering to define the test scope and requirements for devices on both wafer and die levels.
• Work closely with PIC and system architects to validate device performance versus specifications.

Skills

Python

Photonic design

Communication

Presentation

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering / Applied Physics or related

Tools

FDTD simulations

EME simulations

Silicon photonics tools

Device characterization tools

Job description

Senior Photonics Design Engineer - Passives

Job type: Full Time · Department: Engineering · Work type: Hybrid · USD 150,000-215,000 / year

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

The Role

As a member of OpenLight’s Silicon Photonics (SiPh) team, you will be responsible for the design and validation of passive optical components in OpenLight’s heterogeneous silicon with III-V photonic platform.

You will use your deep knowledge of designing passive components for silicon photonics as you work cross-functionally with PIC architects, Process, Layout, and Test Engineers to define, design, fabricate, and validate silicon and silicon nitride passive components.

What You Will Do

• Design and simulate passive components including multimode interference couplers, direction couplers, polarization beam splitters, adiabatic transitions between waveguide layers, grating couplers, and spot size converters.
• Generate datasheets, application notes, and user guides for devices.
• Define device CAD layouts in close collaboration with process and layout engineers.
• Develop compact models for OpenLight’s SiPh PDK.
• Work with process engineers to define and optimize the device structures and processes.
• Work closely with test engineering to define the test scope and requirements for devices on both wafer and die levels.
• Work closely with PIC and system architects to validate device performance versus specifications.

Your Background Includes

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Material Science, Applied Physics or related discipline.
• 1+ years of relevant professional experience after your degree.
• 3+ years of experience (including graduate school) with FDTD and EME simulations.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of silicon and silicon nitride photonic devices.
• Proficiency in programming with scripting languages, preferably Python.
• Hands-on experience with photonic device characterization.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills.

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.