Photonics Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania
Photonics Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania are open across Fort Washington, Horsham, and Allentown and other Pennsylvania metros, with employers like Avo Photonics, Cisco, and Coherent hiring at every experience level. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Photonics Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 15+ Photonics Engineer jobs











Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Design and tapeout silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) including integrated coherent receivers and integrated coherent transmitter PICs.
- Design and prepare PIC layouts using industry-standard PIC design flows including:
- Synopsys OptoCompiler
- Cadence Virtuoso-based photonic design flows
- Implement parametric layout cells (PCells) and scripted layout generation to support scalable photonic circuit design.
- Develop and simulate passive photonic components.
- Model and simulate active photonic devices.
- Perform electromagnetic, optical, and electrical simulations using tools such as:
- Lumerical (FDTD, MODE, DEVICE, INTERCONNECT)
- CST Microwave Studio
- HFSS
- Tidy3D
- ADS
- Other PIC design and verification tools as required.
- Support the local development of photonic components for multiple silicon photonics foundries and technology platforms.
- Work closely with external silicon photonics foundries to successfully design, verify, and tapeout advanced PICs.
- Conduct design corner analysis to ensure device robustness across process, voltage, temperature, and fabrication variations.
- Perform post-layout simulations and verification, including optical, RF, and electro-optic performance validation.
- Develop compact models and simulation workflows for system-level verification of photonic circuits.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including:
- Electronics / IC design
- Packaging engineering
- Optical system engineering
- Test engineering
- Reliability engineering
- Manufacturing and operations
- Support product development through New Product Introduction (NPI) phases including prototype validation, characterization, and design improvements.
- Work with reliability engineering teams to define qualification plans, including lifetime testing, environmental stress testing, and failure analysis.
- Support transition from prototype to high-volume manufacturing, including:
- Design for manufacturability (DFM)
- Process variation mitigation
- Yield optimization
- Test strategy development
- Production monitoring and yield analysis.
- Participate in design reviews, documentation, and technical presentations.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices for silicon photonic design within the organization.
Education & Experience
- PhD or MS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, or related field.
- Typically 5+ years of experience in silicon photonics design, integrated photonics, or optical communication systems.
- Proven experience with silicon photonics PIC tapeouts and foundry interactions.
Skills
- Strong expertise in silicon photonics device physics and PIC design methodologies.
- Experience with electromagnetic simulation and photonic design tools.
- Familiarity with photonic foundry design kits (PDKs) and layout environments.
- Strong understanding of optical communication systems and coherent optical architectures.
- Experience with RF design and electro-optic device modeling.
- Knowledge of packaging and fiber coupling techniques for photonic devices.
- Programming experience for simulation automation and data analysis.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
- Excellent collaboration skills for working with cross-functional engineering teams.
Working Conditions
- Authorized to work in US
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
ABOUT US
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
JOB INFO
Job Identification
2011314
Posting Date
04/22/2026, 11:05 AM
Degree Level
Doctorate Degree
Job Schedule
Full time
Locations
702 Electronic Drive, Horsham, PA, 19044, US (Hybrid)
Pay Scale
100,650 - 172,370
See All 15 Photonics Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Photonics Engineer JobsPhotonics Engineer Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Photonics Engineer Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Avo Photonics12

- Cisco1

- Coherent1

- Nokia1

Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware9
- Manufacturing4
- Consulting & Professional Services3
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in photonics engineer jobs across Pennsylvania.
- 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
Photonics Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How many photonics engineer jobs are there in Pennsylvania?
There are 15+ photonics engineer openings in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate as of June 2026, with the most roles in Fort Washington, Horsham, and Allentown. New positions post regularly as employers across Pennsylvania hire.
How much do photonics engineers make in Pennsylvania?
Photonics engineers in Pennsylvania earn a median of about $121,260 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $75,690 for the lowest 10% to over $170,150 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most photonics engineer jobs?
Fort Washington, Horsham, and Allentown have the most photonics engineer openings in Pennsylvania right now, with additional roles spread across smaller metros statewide.
Which companies hire photonics engineers in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring photonics engineers in Pennsylvania include Avo Photonics, Cisco, and Coherent, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Are there remote photonics engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes. About 7% of photonics engineer openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The rest are on-site roles based in Pennsylvania metros.
How do I apply for photonics engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can apply to photonics engineer jobs in Pennsylvania directly on Migrate Mate. Search the listings above, find roles that match your experience and preferred Pennsylvania location, then apply to each one that fits.
See All 15 Photonics Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Photonics Engineer Jobs