Senior Silicon Photonics Architect — Optical Interconnects & PICs

Micron Technology; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Micron Technology in California is hiring a Senior / Distinguished Member of Technical Staff to lead silicon photonics efforts. You will establish a new photonics discipline, evaluate partner PIC designs, and define test-chips with the electrical I/O team to enable optical interconnect at scale.

You will work with senior analog and digital designers in a small, fast-moving team, shaping the architecture, simulations, and verification strategy while delivering high-impact photonic solutions that

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in silicon photonics, PIC design, or optical interconnect development.
• At least one silicon photonics fabrication cycle (PIC tape-out or MPW shuttle run) in a primary design or integration role.
• Proficiency with photonic simulation tools (Lumerical, Synopsys OptoDesigner, Photon Design, or equivalent).
• Solid understanding of silicon photonics process fundamentals — waveguide design rules, modulator and photodetector device physics, and PDK-based design flow.
• Experience developing optical link budgets and evaluating photonic link performance (insertion loss, coupling efficiency, modulation depth, BER).
• Strong written communication skills — this role produces technology assessments and specifications.
• Proficient in leveraging AI for productivity.

Responsibilities

• Photonic Technology Direction: serve as internal SME on silicon photonics and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership.
• Partner PIC Design Evaluation: verify and assess partner PIC designs, run simulations, validate performance claims, identify design risks.
• Test-Chip Co-Specification: define test-chip features and measurement interfaces with the I/O team.
• Link Architecture & Budgeting: develop optical link budgets, modulation strategy, and targets for photonic concepts.
• Behavioral Modeling: build photonic models for system-level analysis within mixed-signal simulations.
• Optical Characterization: define test requirements for post-silicon bring-up.
• Design Documentation: author assessments and specs for photonic interconnect decisions.

Skills

Silicon photonics

PIC design

Optical simulations

Link budgets

Technical writing

AI productivity

Education

MS/PhD in EE/Physics/Photonics

Tools

Lumerical

OptoDesigner

Job description

Micron Technology in California is hiring a Senior / Distinguished Member of Technical Staff to lead silicon photonics efforts. You will establish a new photonics discipline, evaluate partner PIC designs, and define test-chips with the electrical I/O team to enable optical interconnect at scale.

You will work with senior analog and digital designers in a small, fast-moving team, shaping the architecture, simulations, and verification strategy while delivering high-impact photonic solutions that