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.
Find Photonics Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 132+ Photonics Engineer jobs
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
10+ years of relevant industry experience
Master’s or PhD 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 $181,100 and $272,100, 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. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
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
10+ years of relevant industry experience
Master’s or PhD 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 $181,100 and $272,100, 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. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 132+ Photonics Engineer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any photonics engineer role that fits.
Find Photonics Engineer JobsPhotonics Engineer Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- IPG Photonics Corporation24
- Nokia17
- GlobalFoundries15
- Avo Photonics14
- Apple12
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware90
- Technology & Software20
- Manufacturing18
- Consulting & Professional Services6
- Banking & Financial Services3
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 IPG Photonics Corporation, Nokia, and GlobalFoundries, with the largest share of openings in California, Massachusetts, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 5% of photonics engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 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 132+ Photonics Engineer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any photonics engineer role that fits.
Find Photonics Engineer Jobs