Photonics Engineer Jobs
Photonics Engineer jobs are open across defense, semiconductor, medical devices, telecommunications, and research institutions, from new-grad to principal and staff levels, with specializations in laser design, fiber optics, and optical systems integration. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 74+ Photonics Engineer jobs
It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.
If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!
At Lumentum, we’re building the tech behind the world’s fastest networks and most advanced systems. Our optical and photonic solutions power everything from AI and cloud computing to data centers, telecom, and advanced manufacturing.
We’re a global team of innovators working where light meets technology, solving big challenges that keep the world connected and moving forward. If shaping the future of connectivity excites you, you’ll fit right in.
Why You’ll Love This Role
The Sr. Principal Engineer: silicon photonics – Hybrid integration is a key leader responsible for the development of high-volume process flows that integrate unique materials to enhance the performance of Silicon photonics. The solutions will be deployed to cloud and network applications, for the rapidly growing AI market. You will work in a team environment to develop unique process flows and chip functionality through conception, process step design, process integration, plus the analysis and optimization of the integrated component performance.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop III-V to SiPho hybrid integration process flows for novel and unique III-V components while working within the larger photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development team.
- Work collaboratively with wafer fabrication partners and back end of line process integration partners to ensure that the final chip solutions meet all end customer specifications, and the constraints for target applications considering fabrication process capability and required manufacturing tolerances.
- Collaborate with test engineering team to develop dedicated test and verification plans, define requirements, and analyze engineering verification measurements.
- Consider performance and specification margin to enable high yield in a cost-sensitive high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Create a culture of continuous improvement to optimize performance and cost efficiency, to maintain Lumentum’s product competitiveness and to find novel solutions for next generation products
- Encourage cross-disciplinary communication between the fabrication and design teams as well as the broader photonics component development team.
What We’re Looking For
Education:
PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics or equivalent combination of education and work experience
Experience:
Core Requirements:
- A PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics or equivalent combination of education and work experience along with a solid background in optical physics and photonics
- Experience in managing advanced IC and photonic IC integration methods, 2D, 2.5D, 3D stacking approaches. Experience with photonic component development in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong background in photonic device fabrication and analysis of test results
- Experience with test methods used to characterize photonic chips
- Demonstrated drive and aptitude for wafer fabrication or post-wafer fabrication process development.
- Excellent oral and written English communication and presentation skills
- Self-motivated, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Desired Qualities:
- Proficiency with photonics simulation techniques such as FDTD, EME, etc. and software platforms that implement such techniques (e.g., Lumerical, Synopsys)
- Proficiency with photonic integrated circuit design flows, physical layout and verification software
Perks You’ll Love
- Flexible time off
- Health and wellness benefits (physical and mental)
- Tuition reimbursement and career growth support
- A workplace built for you: free gym, games room, prayer room
- Subsidized meals, free coffee/tea
- Employee stock options and incentive plans
- A collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture
Join a Team That’s Shaping the Future
At Lumentum, we’re more than just a workplace—we’re a launchpad for creativity and innovation. We’re committed to celebrating your unique talents and helping you grow. Our guiding principles—Innovate, Engage, Deliver, Excel, and Win—aren’t just words; they’re the heart of what we do.
Let’s Build a Brighter Future Together!
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Your uniqueness makes us stronger, sparks creativity, and drives our success.
Please contact us at talentacquisition@lumentum.com to request accommodation.
Join us—your future starts here!
Pay Range:
P80-USA-1 :$149,900.00 - $214,150.00Disclaimer:
Final base salary for the successful candidate will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job location, where work will be performed, qualifications, work history and relevant experience. With our continual goal of making Lumentum a best place to work for our employees, we strive to offer employees competitive total compensation packages, which may include annual bonus, commission for certain sales roles, equity, and health and welfare benefits.
It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.
If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!
At Lumentum, we’re building the tech behind the world’s fastest networks and most advanced systems. Our optical and photonic solutions power everything from AI and cloud computing to data centers, telecom, and advanced manufacturing.
We’re a global team of innovators working where light meets technology, solving big challenges that keep the world connected and moving forward. If shaping the future of connectivity excites you, you’ll fit right in.
Why You’ll Love This Role
The Sr. Principal Engineer: silicon photonics – Hybrid integration is a key leader responsible for the development of high-volume process flows that integrate unique materials to enhance the performance of Silicon photonics. The solutions will be deployed to cloud and network applications, for the rapidly growing AI market. You will work in a team environment to develop unique process flows and chip functionality through conception, process step design, process integration, plus the analysis and optimization of the integrated component performance.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop III-V to SiPho hybrid integration process flows for novel and unique III-V components while working within the larger photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development team.
- Work collaboratively with wafer fabrication partners and back end of line process integration partners to ensure that the final chip solutions meet all end customer specifications, and the constraints for target applications considering fabrication process capability and required manufacturing tolerances.
- Collaborate with test engineering team to develop dedicated test and verification plans, define requirements, and analyze engineering verification measurements.
- Consider performance and specification margin to enable high yield in a cost-sensitive high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Create a culture of continuous improvement to optimize performance and cost efficiency, to maintain Lumentum’s product competitiveness and to find novel solutions for next generation products
- Encourage cross-disciplinary communication between the fabrication and design teams as well as the broader photonics component development team.
What We’re Looking For
Education:
PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics or equivalent combination of education and work experience
Experience:
Core Requirements:
- A PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics or equivalent combination of education and work experience along with a solid background in optical physics and photonics
- Experience in managing advanced IC and photonic IC integration methods, 2D, 2.5D, 3D stacking approaches. Experience with photonic component development in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong background in photonic device fabrication and analysis of test results
- Experience with test methods used to characterize photonic chips
- Demonstrated drive and aptitude for wafer fabrication or post-wafer fabrication process development.
- Excellent oral and written English communication and presentation skills
- Self-motivated, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Desired Qualities:
- Proficiency with photonics simulation techniques such as FDTD, EME, etc. and software platforms that implement such techniques (e.g., Lumerical, Synopsys)
- Proficiency with photonic integrated circuit design flows, physical layout and verification software
Perks You’ll Love
- Flexible time off
- Health and wellness benefits (physical and mental)
- Tuition reimbursement and career growth support
- A workplace built for you: free gym, games room, prayer room
- Subsidized meals, free coffee/tea
- Employee stock options and incentive plans
- A collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture
Join a Team That’s Shaping the Future
At Lumentum, we’re more than just a workplace—we’re a launchpad for creativity and innovation. We’re committed to celebrating your unique talents and helping you grow. Our guiding principles—Innovate, Engage, Deliver, Excel, and Win—aren’t just words; they’re the heart of what we do.
Let’s Build a Brighter Future Together!
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Your uniqueness makes us stronger, sparks creativity, and drives our success.
Please contact us at talentacquisition@lumentum.com to request accommodation.
Join us—your future starts here!
Pay Range:
P80-USA-1 :$149,900.00 - $214,150.00Disclaimer:
Final base salary for the successful candidate will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job location, where work will be performed, qualifications, work history and relevant experience. With our continual goal of making Lumentum a best place to work for our employees, we strive to offer employees competitive total compensation packages, which may include annual bonus, commission for certain sales roles, equity, and health and welfare benefits.
Photonics Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
See All 74 Photonics Engineer Jobs
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Find Photonics Engineer JobsPhotonics Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware16
- Technology & Software8
- Manufacturing5
- Telecommunications5
- Medical Devices1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in photonics engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in physics, electrical engineering, or optical engineering
- Hands-on experience with laser systems, fiber optics, or optical component design
- Proficiency in optical design software such as Zemax OpticStudio or COMSOL Multiphysics
- Experience with optical bench setup, alignment, and characterization in a lab environment
- Familiarity with photonic integrated circuits, semiconductor fabrication, or cleanroom processes
- Ability to obtain or active possession of a U.S. security clearance for defense-related roles
Tips for Your Photonics Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to optical systems
List the specific laser platforms, optical bench tools, and simulation software you've used, such as Zemax, COMSOL, or VirtualLab. Hiring managers in photonics scan for these names fast, and a generic engineering resume will get filtered out before a human reads it.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists photonics engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight your cleanroom and lab experience
Many photonics roles require hands-on fabrication or characterization work. Specify the processes you've run, such as lithography, thin-film deposition, or interferometric testing, because those details separate candidates who've done the work from those who've only studied it.
Target postings by application area
Defense and aerospace roles often require security clearance eligibility, while medical device positions emphasize FDA-regulated environments. Filter your search by industry vertical so you're only spending time on openings where your background is a direct match.
Prepare for a technical design review interview
Photonics interviews frequently include a walkthrough of a prior design or experiment, not just whiteboard questions. Rehearse explaining your optical system choices, tradeoffs you made, and how you validated performance against spec before you walk in.
Negotiate using clearance and IP experience
Active security clearances and documented IP contributions, such as patents or invention disclosures, are concrete leverage points in photonics compensation conversations. Know what you hold before your offer call so you can reference it specifically rather than making a general ask.
Photonics Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most photonics engineers?
The companies hiring the most photonics engineers right now include Coherent, Nokia, and L3Harris, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, and medical device companies consistently represent the largest share of active postings.
How many photonics engineer jobs are remote?
About 36% of photonics engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which is lower than most engineering disciplines because much of the work requires lab access or cleanroom equipment. Sub-areas like optical system modeling, simulation, and software-defined photonics integration tend to have the highest share of remote-eligible roles.
How do you become a photonics engineer?
Most photonics engineers start with a bachelor's degree in physics, optical engineering, or electrical engineering, then build hands-on lab experience through research positions, co-ops, or internships focused on lasers, fiber systems, or imaging. A master's degree strengthens candidates for R&D and senior design roles. Developing proficiency in optical simulation tools and gaining exposure to a specific application area, such as defense or medical devices, sharpens your fit for industry postings.
Can you get a photonics engineer job with little experience?
Entry-level photonics engineer roles do exist, and employers filling them look for strong academic lab work, senior capstone projects involving optical systems, or undergraduate research with published or presented results. Internships at national labs or optics-focused companies carry significant weight. Demonstrating hands-on alignment, characterization, or fabrication skills, even from coursework, closes much of the experience gap that a short resume creates.
What does the photonics engineer interview process look like?
Most photonics engineer interviews include an initial recruiter or hiring manager screen, a technical phone or video round covering optical design principles and relevant tools, and then an onsite or virtual panel where you walk through a past project in detail. Some employers add a design exercise or ask you to interpret experimental data on the spot. References and, for defense roles, a preliminary clearance discussion often come at the offer stage.
Where can I find and apply to photonics engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to photonics engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and experience level, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 74 Photonics Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Photonics Engineer Jobs