Photonics Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Photonics Engineer roles in semiconductor fabrication, defense optics, and fiber-optic communications regularly sponsor OPT students. STEM OPT eligibility applies to this occupation, giving you up to three years of work authorization while your employer pursues long-term sponsorship through H-1B or other pathways.
See All Photonics Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 60+ Photonics Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 60+ Photonics Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Photonics Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries. Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry—including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale. PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact. Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real. Come join us.
JOB SUMMARY
PsiQuantum is seeking a Senior High-Speed Photonics Engineer to help develop active components and circuits for the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer. The candidate will independently own the design, modeling, testing, and data analysis of active photonic devices and circuits. The Senior Active Photonics Engineer will collaborate closely with teams across PsiQuantum—including electronics, manufacturing, test, packaging, and system validation—to achieve these goals. A successful candidate is expected to have hands-on experience and knowledge in active photonic technologies such as electro-optic phase shifters, switches, modulators, and related components.
Responsibilities
- Design, simulate, and optimize novel integrated photonic devices and photonic integrated circuits for quantum computing.
- Take a leading role in photonic tapeouts, including hands-on layout, DOE and circuit design, planning, and interfacing with stakeholders (e.g., packaging teams or electronic driver designers).
- Collaborate with our dedicated test team to
- Plan and execute automated high-volume tests
- Develop new test methods when needed
- Work with assembly test engineers to help plan and execute assembly-level characterization.
- Analyze measurement data and interpret analysis results to understand and improve components and circuits.
- Develop and implement new analysis methods as necessary.
- Collaborate with photonic engineers, test engineers, materials scientists, electronic engineers, process engineers, and packaging engineers to build and characterize high-performance photonic chips and assemblies.
- Mentor junior staff members.
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
- MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, optical engineering, or related discipline.
- Minimum 3+ years of industrial experience (this does not include academic experience) in integrated photonics technologies, including
- Deep expertise in integrated photonic devices—including both passive and active components—with a strong focus on electro-optic phase shifters and modulators (e.g., in thin-film lithium niobate, BTO, doped silicon, or III-V materials such as InP, GaAs, AlGaAs, InGaAsP); experience with high-speed operation (10 GHz bandwidth and beyond) is a strong plus
- Experience in the design and modeling of photonic and electro-optic components using industry-standard tools such as Ansys Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL Multi-physics, Meep, etc.
- Knowledge in modeling of photonic circuits (e.g using Lumerical Interconnect or SAX) is a plus.
- Knowledge RF concepts, signal integrity and experience with simulation tools such as HFSS and ADS is a plus.
- Experience leading photonic tapeouts and understanding of the foundry process.
- Photonic layout experience (using e.g. IPKISS, GDSFactory, etc.)
- Understanding or hands-on experience with photonic packaging is a plus.
- Understanding of photonic-electronic interfaces (drivers, TIAs, etc.) is a plus.
- This role does not involve hands-on experimental work, but it does require deep expertise in the characterization of integrated passive and active photonic components. Familiarity with high-speed characterization techniques—such as S-parameter measurements and large-signal time-domain analysis of active photonic devices—is a strong plus.
- Proficient in programming language such as Python and Matlab.
- Strong data analysis skills, including visualization and making data-driven design decisions.
- Collaborative in a multi-disciplinary startup environment.
- Ability to work independently with limited direction.
- Experience in project planning and management.
- Proven team player with an ability to work with local and remote team members.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to various audiences.
- Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail-oriented problem-solving skills.
[We are open to adjusting the compensation to experience level]
PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.
Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to recruiting@psiquantum.com. We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.
The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
U.S. Base Pay Range $150,000—$185,000 USD
Bay Area Pay Range $170,000—$202,000 USD
INTRODUCTION
PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries. Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry—including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale. PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact. Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real. Come join us.
JOB SUMMARY
PsiQuantum is seeking a Senior High-Speed Photonics Engineer to help develop active components and circuits for the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer. The candidate will independently own the design, modeling, testing, and data analysis of active photonic devices and circuits. The Senior Active Photonics Engineer will collaborate closely with teams across PsiQuantum—including electronics, manufacturing, test, packaging, and system validation—to achieve these goals. A successful candidate is expected to have hands-on experience and knowledge in active photonic technologies such as electro-optic phase shifters, switches, modulators, and related components.
Responsibilities
- Design, simulate, and optimize novel integrated photonic devices and photonic integrated circuits for quantum computing.
- Take a leading role in photonic tapeouts, including hands-on layout, DOE and circuit design, planning, and interfacing with stakeholders (e.g., packaging teams or electronic driver designers).
- Collaborate with our dedicated test team to
- Plan and execute automated high-volume tests
- Develop new test methods when needed
- Work with assembly test engineers to help plan and execute assembly-level characterization.
- Analyze measurement data and interpret analysis results to understand and improve components and circuits.
- Develop and implement new analysis methods as necessary.
- Collaborate with photonic engineers, test engineers, materials scientists, electronic engineers, process engineers, and packaging engineers to build and characterize high-performance photonic chips and assemblies.
- Mentor junior staff members.
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
- MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, optical engineering, or related discipline.
- Minimum 3+ years of industrial experience (this does not include academic experience) in integrated photonics technologies, including
- Deep expertise in integrated photonic devices—including both passive and active components—with a strong focus on electro-optic phase shifters and modulators (e.g., in thin-film lithium niobate, BTO, doped silicon, or III-V materials such as InP, GaAs, AlGaAs, InGaAsP); experience with high-speed operation (10 GHz bandwidth and beyond) is a strong plus
- Experience in the design and modeling of photonic and electro-optic components using industry-standard tools such as Ansys Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL Multi-physics, Meep, etc.
- Knowledge in modeling of photonic circuits (e.g using Lumerical Interconnect or SAX) is a plus.
- Knowledge RF concepts, signal integrity and experience with simulation tools such as HFSS and ADS is a plus.
- Experience leading photonic tapeouts and understanding of the foundry process.
- Photonic layout experience (using e.g. IPKISS, GDSFactory, etc.)
- Understanding or hands-on experience with photonic packaging is a plus.
- Understanding of photonic-electronic interfaces (drivers, TIAs, etc.) is a plus.
- This role does not involve hands-on experimental work, but it does require deep expertise in the characterization of integrated passive and active photonic components. Familiarity with high-speed characterization techniques—such as S-parameter measurements and large-signal time-domain analysis of active photonic devices—is a strong plus.
- Proficient in programming language such as Python and Matlab.
- Strong data analysis skills, including visualization and making data-driven design decisions.
- Collaborative in a multi-disciplinary startup environment.
- Ability to work independently with limited direction.
- Experience in project planning and management.
- Proven team player with an ability to work with local and remote team members.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to various audiences.
- Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, analytical, and detail-oriented problem-solving skills.
[We are open to adjusting the compensation to experience level]
PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.
Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to recruiting@psiquantum.com. We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.
The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
U.S. Base Pay Range $150,000—$185,000 USD
Bay Area Pay Range $170,000—$202,000 USD
See all 60+ Photonics Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Photonics Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Photonics Engineer
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Photonics Engineering typically qualifies under CIP codes for Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics. Confirm with your DSO that your specific program code is on the STEM OPT designated degree list before your initial OPT period ends.
Target employers with E-Verify enrollment first
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Filter your job search to companies already in the E-Verify program so you don't lose extension eligibility after accepting an offer.
Research prevailing wages using OFLC Wage Search
Photonics Engineer salaries vary significantly between defense contractors, telecom firms, and semiconductor fabs. Pull the Level I through Level IV wage bands for your target metro using OFLC Wage Search before negotiating, so your offer clears DOL requirements at filing.
Build credentials around defense optics employers carefully
Many photonics roles at defense contractors require security clearances, which non-U.S. citizens on OPT cannot hold. Identify whether a posted role is unclassified or clearance-required before applying to avoid disqualification late in the process.
Use Migrate Mate to match your OPT status to sponsoring employers
Photonics Engineer openings span industries with very different sponsorship track records. Migrate Mate surfaces employers actively filing for optical and photonics roles, so you focus on companies that have already sponsored comparable positions.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan before your start date
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan filed on Form I-983. Get the plan agreed upon with your employer's HR or immigration contact before you start, not after, so your DSO can process the extension without delays that interrupt your work authorization.
Photonics Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Photonics Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Photonics Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Photonics Engineering programs are often classified under Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Optical Sciences, most of which appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. Confirm your specific program code with your DSO before relying on STEM OPT eligibility for a job offer.
Which industries hire Photonics Engineers on OPT most consistently?
Semiconductor fabrication, fiber-optic communications, medical device manufacturing, and research-focused defense contractors are the most active sectors. Academic and national laboratory positions also hire OPT students frequently. You can browse current openings filtered by OPT authorization on Migrate Mate to see which employers are actively posting for this role.
Can I work on defense photonics projects while on OPT?
You can work on unclassified defense photonics projects on OPT, but roles requiring a security clearance are off-limits for non-U.S. citizens regardless of work authorization status. Read each job description carefully for clearance requirements, and ask recruiters directly whether the position has access restrictions before progressing through interviews.
What does my employer need to file for my STEM OPT extension?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must complete Form I-983, the training plan that documents your learning objectives and supervision structure. USCIS requires this form to be signed by both you and your employer before your DSO can recommend the extension. The filing happens through your school, not directly with USCIS.
How early should I start the H-1B sponsorship conversation with a Photonics Engineer employer?
Start the conversation during your offer negotiation, not after you've accepted. H-1B registration opens in March for an October 1 start date, and employers need lead time to engage immigration counsel. If you're starting a role in summer or fall, you may need to rely on cap-gap protection to bridge authorization between OPT expiration and H-1B activation.
See which Photonics Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Photonics Engineer Jobs