Photonics Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's photonics engineering sector is anchored by defense and aerospace contractors in the Philadelphia suburbs, optics manufacturers in the Lehigh Valley, and research institutions like Penn State and Drexel University. Employers including Northrop Grumman, II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent), and L3Harris have active visa sponsorship histories for photonics engineer roles across the state.
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Get Access To All JobsPrimary 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
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
Photonics Engineer Job Roles in Pennsylvania
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Search Photonics Engineer Jobs in PennsylvaniaPhotonics Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for photonics engineers in Pennsylvania?
Coherent Corp. (formerly II-VI Incorporated), headquartered in Saxonburg, is one of the most active sponsors for photonics engineering roles in Pennsylvania. Defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman and L3Harris, with operations in the Philadelphia region, also have documented H-1B visa sponsorship histories for optical and photonics engineering positions. University-affiliated research labs at Penn State and Drexel University additionally hire international engineers through sponsorship.
Which visa types are most common for photonics engineer roles in Pennsylvania?
The H-1B is the predominant visa category for photonics engineers in Pennsylvania, as these roles typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in photonics, optical engineering, or a closely related field. Some positions at defense contractors may also support O-1 visas for engineers with distinguished records of publications or patents. TN visa status is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying engineering classifications under USMCA.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have the most photonics engineer sponsorship jobs?
The Philadelphia metropolitan area, including suburban counties like Montgomery and Chester, concentrates the highest number of photonics engineering opportunities tied to defense and telecommunications employers. The Lehigh Valley, anchored by Allentown and Bethlehem, hosts optics and laser manufacturing facilities with sponsorship activity. State College, home to Penn State's main campus, generates photonics roles through university research programs and affiliated technology spinoffs.
How to find photonics engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania?
Migrate Mate filters photonics engineer job listings specifically to employers in Pennsylvania with documented visa sponsorship activity, saving you from manually reviewing LCA disclosure data. Because photonics roles in this state span defense, telecommunications, and academic research, the employer type matters as much as the job title. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you focus on companies that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor, particularly in the Philadelphia suburbs and Lehigh Valley corridors.
Are there state-specific considerations for photonics engineers seeking sponsorship in Pennsylvania?
Many photonics engineering positions at Pennsylvania defense contractors require security clearance eligibility, which can complicate sponsorship timelines for candidates on certain visa statuses. Prevailing wage levels for photonics engineers in Pennsylvania vary by metropolitan area; engineers can reference the OFLC Wage Search tool to understand wage expectations by location and experience level. Penn State's photonics programs also create a consistent pipeline of OPT-eligible candidates, meaning some employers in the state already have established sponsorship infrastructure for international hires.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored photonics engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.