Silicon Photonics Integration Engineer

imec USA; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual base salary range of $138,400–$

Employer-paid medical coverage for you

6% employer 401(k) contribution

Job summary

Imec USA in Cambridge, Massachusetts is seeking a Silicon Photonics Integration Engineer to advance photonics design and integration for healthcare and life-science applications. You will work within imec Massachusetts, reporting to the LEAN biophotonics team, collaborating with life-science engineers, photonics designers, and system engineers to develop next-generation devices.

The role combines simulation, testing, and fabrication support, with opportunities for travel to Belgium for

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Photonics, Optics, Electro-Optics, Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in photonics or related area.
• Strong design, simulation, and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Simulate and design photonic devices and integrated photonic circuits.
• Design, build, and validate photonic characterization setups.
• Collaborate with mask prep, process integration, and fabrication teams.
• Design and build optomechanical test setups for optical testing.
• Develop test scripts and automation to improve efficiency and repeatability.
• Present results to internal teams and external partners.

Skills

Photonic device design

Optical systems integration

English proficiency

MATLAB & Python

Test automation

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

PhD in Physics, Photonics, Optics, Electro-Optics, Engineering

Tools

Ansys

COMSOL

Luceda

Cadence

Zemax

Code V

Job description

Research & Development – Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Join imec’s multidisciplinary team in Cambridge and help develop next-generation integrated photonics technologies for healthcare and life-science applications.

About the role

Imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, with more than 5,500 employees working across Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA. Our teams conduct research in advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, sensing, and health and life-science applications.

Within imec’s Lab and Exploratory Devices department, our R&D activities focus on developing novel tools and technologies for healthcare applications using advanced silicon and nanotechnology. Our research includes biosensors, microfluidics, novel imaging modalities, non-invasive molecular detection techniques, and innovative photonic platforms based on integrated photonics tightly integrated with electronics.

For life-science applications, these technologies require a multidisciplinary approach bringing together expertise in engineering, photonics, molecular biology, cell biology, and surface chemistry. For a new high-impact project, we are looking for an enthusiastic Silicon Photonics Integration Engineer who is eager to help shape tomorrow’s healthcare technologies.

You will be embedded within the imec Massachusetts team in Cambridge and functionally report to imec’s LEAN biophotonics team. You will work closely with life-science application engineers, photonics design engineers, system engineers, and other specialists developing next-generation healthcare technologies.

What you will do

As a Silicon Photonics Integration Engineer, you will contribute to photonics design, theory, simulation, characterization, and the development of optical test systems for novel photonic devices.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Simulate and design photonic devices and integrated photonic circuits.
• Design, build, and validate photonic characterization setups.
• Collaborate with mask preparation, process integration, and fabrication teams to follow photonic designs through fabrication.
• Design and build optomechanical test setups to streamline optical testing protocols when needed.
• Design, build, and test miniaturized optical systems combining chip-based integrated photonic devices with customized discrete optical components.
• Perform photonic characterization measurements and analyze experimental data.
• Develop test scripts and automation routines to improve the efficiency and repeatability of characterization activities.
• Collaborate with specialists across imec’s cross-disciplinary design and technology teams.
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, researchers, and biologists.
• Present technical results and findings to internal teams, project partners, and external customers.
• Work according to agreed customer timelines and provide regular updates on project progress.
• Manage priorities effectively within ambitious project schedules.
• Adapt quickly to evolving technical and project requirements.

Who you are

• You hold a PhD in Physics, Photonics, Optics, Electro-Optics, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• You have experience in photonic device design and the design and integration of optical systems.
• You are proficient with optical and photonic design software such as Ansys, COMSOL, Luceda, Cadence, Zemax, Code V, or similar tools.
• You are comfortable developing test scripts and automation routines using MATLAB, Python, or comparable programming languages.
• You have hands‑on experience with design of experiments, building experimental setups, optical characterization, and data analysis.
• You are self‑motivated, innovative, results‑driven, and enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• You have strong communication and interpersonal skills and can effectively connect cross‑site research groups and project partners.
• You are proficient in English and comfortable working in imec’s international and multicultural environment.
• You are open to occasional travel to Belgium for onboarding, collaboration, and periodic project reporting.

What we do for you

At imec USA, you will have the opportunity to work at the forefront of semiconductor, photonics, and healthcare innovation while collaborating with leading researchers and engineers across imec’s global organization.

We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Annual base salary range of $138,400 to $190,000, depending on experience, qualifications, skills, and internal equity.
• 100% employer‑paid medical coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• A generous 6% employer 401(k) contribution.
• Opportunities to collaborate with world‑class researchers and technology teams in the United States and Europe.
• Professional development opportunities within imec’s global research and innovation community.
• The opportunity to contribute to technologies with meaningful impact in healthcare, life sciences, and advanced photonics.

This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.