H-1B Visa Photonics Engineer Jobs
Photonics Engineer roles, covering laser systems, fiber optics, optical sensing, and semiconductor photonics, qualify as H-1B specialty occupations under the bachelor's-degree-in-a-directly-related-field requirement. Employers in defense, telecom, and medical devices are active H-1B sponsors, and the annual 85,000-cap lottery applies unless your employer holds cap-exempt status.
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Get Access To All JobsImagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job, and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, smart people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices, strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product! Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every single day!
Description
We are seeking a self-motivated engineer to join Apple and support the development of a new photonic sensor concept. You will work with cross-functional teams and develop highly automated PDK infrastructures/software to bridge the gap between different functions in this multidisciplinary group. You will take advantage of your technical breadth as well as your depth of experience to explore new strategies in PDK libraries, circuit simulations, stray light analysis, verifications, and related workflows.
Minimum Qualifications
B.Sc. in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent fields
Experience coding with object-oriented programming languages (Python, Matlab, Java, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent fields
Proven track record of designing and building automated infrastructures
Experience with layout, verification, and circuit simulations
Experience with photonics modeling and simulation
Understanding of semiconductor physics, fabrication processes, and tapeout flows
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $126,800 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job, and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, smart people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices, strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product! Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every single day!
Description
We are seeking a self-motivated engineer to join Apple and support the development of a new photonic sensor concept. You will work with cross-functional teams and develop highly automated PDK infrastructures/software to bridge the gap between different functions in this multidisciplinary group. You will take advantage of your technical breadth as well as your depth of experience to explore new strategies in PDK libraries, circuit simulations, stray light analysis, verifications, and related workflows.
Minimum Qualifications
B.Sc. in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent fields
Experience coding with object-oriented programming languages (Python, Matlab, Java, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent fields
Proven track record of designing and building automated infrastructures
Experience with layout, verification, and circuit simulations
Experience with photonics modeling and simulation
Understanding of semiconductor physics, fabrication processes, and tapeout flows
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $126,800 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
See all 120+ Photonics Engineer jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Photonics Engineer
Verify your degree field matches the role
USCIS scrutinizes whether your degree is in a field directly related to photonics engineering. A degree in electrical engineering, optical engineering, or physics typically qualifies. A general engineering or unrelated science degree may trigger an RFE, so prepare a credential evaluation before applying.
Search LCA filings by occupation code
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by H-1B Labor Condition Application filings under SOC codes tied to photonics and optical engineering. This surfaces companies with verified sponsorship history in your specific field, not just general tech or engineering sponsors.
Target cap-exempt institutions for faster timelines
Universities, national labs like Sandia or Lawrence Livermore, and affiliated nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt. They can file your H-1B petition any time of year with no lottery risk, which matters in a field where research contracts drive hiring cycles.
Document your specialty occupation with O*NET
Pull your job zone and required knowledge areas from O*NET for your specific occupational title. Employers and immigration attorneys use this data when drafting the I-129 specialty occupation letter, and a mismatch between your actual duties and the O*NET profile is a common RFE trigger.
Align your offer letter with prevailing wage levels
Before accepting an offer, run your job title, location, and experience level through the OFLC Wage Search. Your offer must meet or exceed the Level I through Level IV wage for the certified LCA. An offer below the prevailing wage blocks DOL certification regardless of employer intent.
Plan around the October 1 start date constraint
If you're selected in the April lottery, your H-1B employment can't begin until October 1. Negotiate your start date accordingly and confirm your employer will maintain cap-gap coverage if you're on OPT. A 60-day gap between OPT expiration and October 1 can leave you unauthorized to work.
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Find Photonics Engineer JobsPhotonics Engineer H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Photonics Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Photonics engineering requires at least a bachelor's degree in optical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a directly related field, which satisfies USCIS's specialty occupation definition. The key is that your employer's job description must reflect duties requiring that specific theoretical and technical knowledge. Roles primarily involving equipment operation or lab technician work without degree-level design responsibilities may not qualify.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas for Photonics Engineers?
Defense contractors, telecom infrastructure companies, semiconductor manufacturers, and medical device firms are the most consistent sponsors. Academic research institutions and federally funded national laboratories also hire photonics engineers and are cap-exempt, meaning no lottery. You can browse employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history in photonics and optical engineering on Migrate Mate.
What happens to my H-1B status if my photonics project ends before my visa expires?
Your H-1B status is employer- and position-specific. If your project ends and your employer terminates you, you enter a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor, change status, or depart. A new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before the grace period ends. Project-based employment in defense and telecom makes this scenario more common than in other fields.
Can my employer file my H-1B petition with a start date tied to a future contract award?
USCIS requires a bona fide job offer with specific employment details at the time of filing, but it doesn't require that the exact project be fully awarded. Employers often file LCAs with projected employment terms and update them as contracts finalize. Speculative petitions with no confirmed worksite or defined duties are vulnerable to denial, so your offer letter and LCA need to reflect real, near-term work.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage apply to Photonics Engineer roles?
DOL sets four prevailing wage levels for each occupation code and metropolitan area. Your employer must certify on the LCA that your salary meets or exceeds the applicable level before USCIS will approve the petition. For photonics engineering, wage levels vary significantly between markets like San Jose, Boston, and smaller research corridors. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify your offered compensation matches your job location and experience level before the LCA is filed.
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