Senior Level Photonics Engineer Jobs
Senior level photonics engineer jobs put experienced engineers in charge of system architecture, program outcomes, and the teams and projects that bring advanced optical technologies to life. Roles are concentrated in Electronics & Hardware, Technology & Software, and Manufacturing, with a mix of on-site, hybrid, and remote positions, and employers like Apple, GlobalFoundries, and STMicroelectronics hiring at this level now.
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Open roles24
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerApple
Top cityMalta, NY
Work type88% On-site
Top industryElectronics
Showing 5 of 24+ Senior Level Photonics Engineer jobs
Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design
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New 1m ago
Ayar Labs
Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design
San Jose, California
New 1m ago
P
Senior Test Automation Engineer, Photonics
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New 1m ago
PsiQuantum Corp
Senior Test Automation Engineer, Photonics
Milpitas, California
New 1m ago
Senior Applications Engineer - RF & Silicon Photonics
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New 1m ago
STMicroelectronics
Senior Applications Engineer - RF & Silicon Photonics
Santa Clara, California
New 1m ago
Technical Program Manager - RF & Silicon Photonics
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STMicroelectronics
Technical Program Manager - RF & Silicon Photonics
Santa Clara, California
New 1m ago
Principal/Lead Photonics Design Engineer - 862
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New 1m ago
Quantinuum
Principal/Lead Photonics Design Engineer - 862
Malta, New York
New 1m ago
New 1m ago
Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design
Ayar Labs·San Jose, California
Job functions:
$180k - $240k/yr
6+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
Job Description
Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design
Location: San Jose (on-site)
Location: San Jose (on-site)
Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models.
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.
We're looking for a Sr. Staff Engineer to own the photonic device layer of that solution. You will define what our components need to achieve, determine what's physically achievable from leading-edge processes, and drive the device roadmap from simulation through high-volume manufacturing. This is a role for someone who thrives on hard, under-specified problems — where the right answer isn't in the literature and the process isn't quite doing what you need it to do.
You'll engage directly with partners across the Taiwan semiconductor ecosystem — not just designing to the PDK you're given, but influencing what that process can achieve. And you'll shape the design and analysis infrastructure your team depends on: the simulation automation, layout flows, and verification frameworks are yours to architect, not inherit.
What You'll Own
- Device roadmap. Own the device roadmap for integrated photonic components: set performance targets, assess process feasibility, and drive development from simulation through production.
- Foundry partnership. Engage directly with the Taiwan semiconductor ecosystem to push process capability in service of product requirements — not just consuming the PDK, but influencing what it does.
- Design infrastructure. Architect and extend the team's design and analysis tools: simulation automation, layout flows, verification frameworks, and custom code the broader team depends on.
- Debug and yield. Lead device-level debug, failure analysis, and yield investigation across development and production runs.
- Cross-functional co-design. Drive component performance in close collaboration with system, laser, packaging, firmware, and circuit design teams — the device layer connects all of them.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field
- 6+ years of commercial experience in silicon photonics or integrated photonic device design
- Deep understanding of photonic device physics: electro-optic modulators, photodetectors, gratings, couplers, micro-ring resonators
- Proficiency with simulation and design tools for passive and active optical devices (e.g., FDTD, charge transport simulation)
- Strong Python skills; demonstrated experience writing well-structured code and extending a shared codebase as part of a team
- Track record of taking opto-electronic components from design through manufacturing: design, debug, and validation
- Track record of solving problems that don't have obvious solutions — in device physics, process integration, or system-level tradeoffs
Preferred Qualifications
- M.S. or PhD with integrated photonics focus
- Experience engaging directly with foundry process teams on process development or customization beyond standard PDK offerings
- High-speed design and RF test experience: VNA, BERT, wafer-level screening
- Statistical analysis of process and test data; DOE methods
- Familiarity with co-packaged optics: system requirements, CPO architectures, and the industry transition from pluggable to on-board optics
- Experience with electro-optic reliability modeling and testing
- Demonstrated use of AI tools to achieve meaningful productivity gains in design or analysis workflows — e.g., device optimization, AI-assisted code development
Salary Range: $180,000 - $240,000
NOTE TO RECRUITERS:
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don’t send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.
Ayar Labs
Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design
San Jose, California
New 1m ago
Job functions:
$180k - $240k/yr
6+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
Job Description
Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design
Location: San Jose (on-site)
Location: San Jose (on-site)
Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models.
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.
We're looking for a Sr. Staff Engineer to own the photonic device layer of that solution. You will define what our components need to achieve, determine what's physically achievable from leading-edge processes, and drive the device roadmap from simulation through high-volume manufacturing. This is a role for someone who thrives on hard, under-specified problems — where the right answer isn't in the literature and the process isn't quite doing what you need it to do.
You'll engage directly with partners across the Taiwan semiconductor ecosystem — not just designing to the PDK you're given, but influencing what that process can achieve. And you'll shape the design and analysis infrastructure your team depends on: the simulation automation, layout flows, and verification frameworks are yours to architect, not inherit.
What You'll Own
- Device roadmap. Own the device roadmap for integrated photonic components: set performance targets, assess process feasibility, and drive development from simulation through production.
- Foundry partnership. Engage directly with the Taiwan semiconductor ecosystem to push process capability in service of product requirements — not just consuming the PDK, but influencing what it does.
- Design infrastructure. Architect and extend the team's design and analysis tools: simulation automation, layout flows, verification frameworks, and custom code the broader team depends on.
- Debug and yield. Lead device-level debug, failure analysis, and yield investigation across development and production runs.
- Cross-functional co-design. Drive component performance in close collaboration with system, laser, packaging, firmware, and circuit design teams — the device layer connects all of them.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field
- 6+ years of commercial experience in silicon photonics or integrated photonic device design
- Deep understanding of photonic device physics: electro-optic modulators, photodetectors, gratings, couplers, micro-ring resonators
- Proficiency with simulation and design tools for passive and active optical devices (e.g., FDTD, charge transport simulation)
- Strong Python skills; demonstrated experience writing well-structured code and extending a shared codebase as part of a team
- Track record of taking opto-electronic components from design through manufacturing: design, debug, and validation
- Track record of solving problems that don't have obvious solutions — in device physics, process integration, or system-level tradeoffs
Preferred Qualifications
- M.S. or PhD with integrated photonics focus
- Experience engaging directly with foundry process teams on process development or customization beyond standard PDK offerings
- High-speed design and RF test experience: VNA, BERT, wafer-level screening
- Statistical analysis of process and test data; DOE methods
- Familiarity with co-packaged optics: system requirements, CPO architectures, and the industry transition from pluggable to on-board optics
- Experience with electro-optic reliability modeling and testing
- Demonstrated use of AI tools to achieve meaningful productivity gains in design or analysis workflows — e.g., device optimization, AI-assisted code development
Salary Range: $180,000 - $240,000
NOTE TO RECRUITERS:
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don’t send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.
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Find JobsSenior Level Photonics Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Apple4
- GlobalFoundries4
- STMicroelectronics3
- Globalfoundries U.S.2
- AMD1
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware21
- Technology & Software4
- Manufacturing3
- Consulting & Professional Services1
Senior Level Photonics Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level photonics engineer job?
Employers hiring at this level expect candidates to demonstrate ownership of full photonics system development cycles, not just component-level contributions. Hands-on depth in areas like fiber optics, laser design, waveguide engineering, or optical sensing strengthens an application considerably. Candidates who can show they have led cross-functional teams, defined technical roadmaps, or mentored junior engineers stand out most in competitive senior searches.
Which companies hire senior level photonics engineers?
Companies hiring senior level photonics engineers right now include Apple, GlobalFoundries, and STMicroelectronics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a broad mix of defense contractors, semiconductor and optical component manufacturers, aerospace firms, and research-intensive technology companies scaling advanced photonics programs.
Are there remote senior level photonics engineer jobs?
Yes, though availability varies by specialization and employer. About 13% of senior level photonics engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, making flexible arrangements more common than many engineers expect at this stage. Roles involving lab work, hardware integration, or classified defense programs are more likely to require on-site presence.
What makes a photonics engineer role senior level?
Senior level photonics engineer roles are defined by scope and ownership rather than task execution. Engineers at this level set technical direction for optical systems or subsystems, make architecture decisions with long-term program impact, and are accountable for deliverables across the full development lifecycle. Mentoring mid-level and junior engineers and collaborating directly with program managers or customers are standard expectations.
Which industries hire the most senior level photonics engineers?
Senior level photonics engineer roles concentrate in Electronics & Hardware, Technology & Software, and Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. These sectors drive demand because they depend on precision optical systems, high-power laser integration, and sensing technologies that require deep engineering expertise and experienced technical leadership to develop and scale.