Silicon Photonics Design Engineer

Lumos Infinitas USA inc; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Equity participation

Job summary

Lumos Infinitas USA, Inc. seeks a silicon photonics engineer in Irvine, CA, to own device simulation, layout, tape-out, and characterization from concept to test. You will work with foundries, develop photonic layouts, and define test structures to guide design improvements.

The role emphasizes hands-on ownership in a small, focused team and collaboration across RF/driver, packaging, test, and system engineers. The ideal candidate has Ph.D. or M.S.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in EE/Physics/Photonics with emphasis on integrated photonics.
• Hands-on silicon photonics device design and electromagnetic/photonics simulation.
• Knowledge of waveguides, modulators, detectors, and PIC building blocks.
• Experience with photonic layout, layout scripting, or PDK-based design flow.
• Ability to work independently and communicate across engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize silicon photonic devices and building blocks, including modulators and photodetectors.
• Collaborate with foundries to understand process capabilities, PDKs, and tape-out requirements.
• Develop photonic layouts using PDKs and perform layout verification and DRC.
• Own device-level simulation, layout, verification, and tape-out activities.
• Define test structures and characterization plans; analyze results to guide design improvements.
• Collaborate with RF/driver, packaging, test, and system engineers to translate device performance to product requirements.

Skills

Device design

Photonic simulation

Layout automation

PDK/Foundry knowledge

Independent work

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering/Physics/Photonics

M.S. in Electrical Engineering/Physics/Photonics

Tools

Lumerical FDTD

Lumerical MODE

HFSS

CST

Silvaco TCAD

GDSII/ICCAD

Job description

Lumos Infinitas USA is a fabless optical I/O company developing next-generation silicon photonics solutions for AI and high-performance-computing interconnects. Our Irvine team is seeking a silicon photonics engineer who wants hands‑on ownership from device simulation and layout through foundry tape‑out, test planning, and characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize passive and/or active silicon photonic devices and building blocks, with particular interest in high-speed traveling-wave modulators and germanium photodetectors.
• Work directly with silicon photonics foundries to understand process capabilities, design rules, PDKs, and tape-out requirements.
• Develop and automate photonic layouts using foundry PDKs; perform layout verification and Design Rule Check (DRC).
• Own device-level simulation, layout, verification, and tape-out activities for assigned designs.
• Define PIC test structures and characterization plans, analyze measurement results, and use the results to guide design improvements.
• Collaborate with RF/driver, packaging, test, and system engineers to translate device performance into product-level requirements.

Qualifications

• a. Ph.D. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Applied Physics, or a related discipline with emphasis on integrated photonics.
• b. Hands‑on experience with silicon photonic device design and electromagnetic/photonics simulation.
• c. Working knowledge of integrated photonics, including waveguides, couplers, modulators, photodetectors, and related PIC building blocks.
• d. Experience with photonic layout, layout scripting, or PDK-based design flow.
• e. Ability to work independently in a fast‑moving engineering environment and communicate effectively across device, circuit, packaging, and test functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Silicon photonics foundry tape‑out experience through an academic, MPW, research, or commercial program.
• Experience with layout automation or scripting using Python, IPKISS, Matlab, gdsfactory, or similar tools.
• Experience with Ansys Lumerical FDTD, MODE, INTERCONNECT, or equivalent photonics simulation tools.
• Experience with one or more complementary simulation environments: RF/electromagnetic tools such as HFSS or CST; semiconductor TCAD such as Synopsys or Silvaco; high‑speed circuit simulation such as ADS; or electro‑optic co‑simulation.
• Experience designing active silicon photonic devices, including traveling‑wave modulators, PN‑junction devices, or Ge photodetectors.
• Experience planning or conducting optical/electrical characterization of silicon photonic devices or PICs.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $110,000–$160,000 per year. Actual compensation will depend on education, directly relevant silicon photonics design experience, foundry tape‑out experience, demonstrated technical capabilities, and role level.
• Health insurance.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off and flexible schedule.
• Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
• Equity participation may be available depending on role level and experience.

Location

This position is based in Irvine, California, in the heart of Orange County’s technology ecosystem and within reach of Southern California’s broader semiconductor, photonics, and university communities. The role is intended to be primarily on‑site so the engineer can work closely with the design, test, and product teams.

Who We Encourage to Apply

We welcome applications from experienced silicon photonics engineers as well as graduating Ph.D. students, postdoctoral researchers, and strong M.S. candidates with relevant integrated‑photonics research or tape‑out experience. Candidates do not need to match every preferred qualification to be considered.

Lumos Infinitas USA, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Why Join Lumos

• Work on silicon photonic devices intended for real next‑generation optical interconnect products rather than isolated research demonstrations.
• Take meaningful technical ownership across simulation, layout, tape‑out, and characterization in a small, focused engineering team.
• Work closely with company technical leadership and with external foundry and technology partners.
• Opportunity to grow quickly in responsibility as products and the engineering organization expand.