Senior Photonics Design Engineer — PICs & Optics

Darwin Recruitment; North Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Senior Photonics Design Engineer in Raleigh, NC to lead design and development of next‑generation PICs and high‑performance optical systems. You will model devices, run simulations, and own DOE across concept to validation.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years in photonics, with strong Python/MATLAB skills and expertise in tools like COMSOL, FDTD, and Cadence. Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams is essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Materials Science or related discipline is required.
• 5+ years of industry experience in photonics, optoelectronics, PIC design or nonlinear optics.
• Strong experience with photonic device modelling and simulation tools.
• Experience with scripted PIC layout tools.
• Knowledge of electrical, electro-optic or thermo-optic tuning of photonic components.

Responsibilities

• Design and model passive photonic components (waveguides, resonators, modulators, couplers).
• Develop simulations for nonlinear optical processes and frequency conversion.
• Design electrical and thermal control mechanisms for integrated photonic devices.
• Support research into advanced materials and emerging photonic technologies.
• Develop scripted PIC layouts and support fabrication and design optimisation.
• Plan and execute design of experiments (DOE) to assess device performance.
• Analyse testing data and translate findings into design improvements.
• Support hybrid and heterogeneous photonic integration projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver performance targets.
• Contribute to technical innovation and IP development.

Skills

Photonic device modelling

Python

MATLAB

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Materials Science

Tools

COMSOL

FDTD

RSoft

Synopsys

GDSFactory

PHIDL

Cadence Virtuoso

Job description

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Senior Photonics Design Engineer in Raleigh, NC to lead design and development of next‑generation PICs and high‑performance optical systems. You will model devices, run simulations, and own DOE across concept to validation.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years in photonics, with strong Python/MATLAB skills and expertise in tools like COMSOL, FDTD, and Cadence. Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams is essential.