System Modeling Design Engineer

AMD; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AMD is seeking a seasoned Photonic Systems Engineer in San Jose, CA, to drive photonic device and system modeling across advanced architectures. Apply simulation frameworks to predict behavior, optimize performance, and reduce hardware iterations.

You will build scalable models of optical performance, correlating with lab data, and collaborate with design, packaging, electronics, firmware, and DSP teams to enable production-ready co-models and robust integration.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in related discipline preferred.
• Experience in photonic device and system modeling and simulation.
• Correlation of simulation with lab measurements essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead photonic device and system modeling efforts for simulation-driven design.
• Develop SystemVerilog-based models for optical system-level simulation and co-verification.
• Perform time-domain modeling with Python/Julia to analyze transient behavior and Si/optical links.
• Evaluate system-level trade-offs across photonic and electronic domains for power, performance, and cost.
• Build multi-physics models (optical, electrical, thermal) across operating conditions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate co-modeling and integration.

Skills

Photonic modeling

SystemVerilog

Python

Julia

Time-domain simulation

Multi-physics modeling

Lab data correlation

Education

Master's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

Lumerical

VPIphotonics

OptiSystem

COMSOL

Job description

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD. At AMD, we believe technology has the power to solve the world’s most important challenges. From advancing healthcare and scientific discovery to powering AI and the technologies people rely on every day, innovation at AMD is shaping the future.

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD. At AMD, we believe technology has the power to solve the world’s most important challenges. From advancing healthcare and scientific discovery to powering AI and the technologies people rely on every day, innovation at AMD is shaping the future.

Whether you’re designing next‑gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or bringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward. Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a seasoned Photonic Systems Engineer with deep expertise and a strong passion for photonic device and system modeling. In this role, you will lead the development and application of advanced simulation frameworks to drive design decisions, predict system behavior, and optimize performance across complex photonic components and architectures.

THE PERSON

You will be responsible for building accurate, scalable models that capture optical performance, power efficiency, signal integrity, and reliability. Your work will directly enable simulation-driven design, reducing experimental iterations and accelerating time to validation. You will collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to correlate models with hardware results, refine assumptions, and ensure high‑fidelity representation from concept through production. A key part of this role includes identifying modeling gaps, improving simulation methodologies, and establishing best practices for photonic system modeling across the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to and lead photonic device and system modeling efforts, enabling simulation-driven architecture definition, design decisions, and performance optimization.
• Develop and apply SystemVerilog-based models for optical system‑level simulation and co‑verification with electronic subsystems.
• Perform time‑domain modeling and simulation using Python and/or Julia to analyze transient behavior, including optical link performance, SerDes interactions, DSP algorithms, jitter, noise, and signal integrity.
• Evaluate and define system‑level trade‑offs across photonic and electronic domains, with a focus on power, performance, reliability, and cost.
• Build, validate, and maintain multi‑physics models (optical, electrical, thermal) to predict behavior across operating conditions, data rates, and process variations.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with design, packaging, electronics, firmware, and DSP teams to ensure accurate co‑modeling and robust system integration.
• Correlate simulation models with lab measurements, including high‑speed link characterization and silicon or module‑level test data, and continuously refine model accuracy.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Extensive experience in photonic device and system modeling, simulation, and performance optimization in production or advanced R&D environments.
• Hands‑on expertise with industry‑standard photonic simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical, VPIphotonics, OptiSystem, COMSOL, or equivalent).
• Experience with SystemVerilog and mixed‑signal/system‑level modeling frameworks for optical‑electrical co‑simulation and verification.
• Strong experience in time‑domain simulation using Python and/or Julia, including modeling of high‑speed optical links, SerDes behavior, DSP algorithms (e.g., equalization, clock/data recovery), jitter, noise, and signal integrity.
• Proficiency in Python and/or Julia for building custom simulation frameworks, numerical analysis, data processing, and model automation.
• Deep understanding of multi‑physics modeling, including optical, electrical, and thermal interactions.
• Proven ability to correlate simulation results with laboratory measurements, including high‑speed link characterization and BER performance, as well as silicon or module‑level test data.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

• PhD or Master’s degree in related discipline preferred

LOCATION: San Jose, CA, anywhere in the US

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third‑party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.