Photonics Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Photonics Engineer roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations under DOL's prevailing wage tiers, and employers in defense, semiconductor, and fiber-optic sectors file LCAs regularly. Security-clearance requirements at some firms can complicate sponsorship timelines. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsImagine 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
Master’s 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 $126,800 and $220,900, 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.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
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
Master’s 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 $126,800 and $220,900, 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.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
See all 138+ Photonics Engineer jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Photonics Engineer
Verify your degree maps to photonics
USCIS evaluates specialty occupation based on degree field, not job title. A degree in electrical engineering, physics, or optical engineering typically satisfies the requirement. A general engineering degree without photonics coursework may trigger a Request for Evidence.
Check employer LCA history before applying
Search the OFLC Wage Search for your target employer's LCA filings under SOC code 17-2199 or 17-3029. Employers who've certified LCAs for photonics or optical engineer roles have an active sponsorship process already in place.
Target defense contractors with clearance-exempt roles
Many defense-sector photonics roles require security clearance that non-citizens can't hold, which blocks sponsorship entirely. Filter your search to commercial photonics, telecom, and semiconductor firms where clearance isn't a prerequisite for the specific position.
Confirm prevailing wage tier before salary negotiation
DOL assigns photonics roles to wage levels I through IV. Your offered salary must meet or exceed the certified LCA wage. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level II or III rates for your metro area before you negotiate an offer.
File your LCA early if your employer is new to sponsorship
First-time sponsors often underestimate the DOL LCA certification window and I-129 preparation timeline. Use Migrate Mate to handle the LCA filing and USCIS petition so your start date doesn't slip while the employer gets up to speed on the process.
Request cap-exempt status through a university research lab
If you're working on a photonics research project affiliated with a nonprofit research organization or university, your employer may qualify as cap-exempt. Cap-exempt H-1B petitions can be filed year-round without waiting for the annual lottery.
Photonics Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Photonics Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Photonics Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Photonics Engineer positions consistently qualify because USCIS requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field as a minimum entry requirement for the role. Employers typically document this through job postings specifying electrical engineering, optical engineering, or physics. Roles where any engineering degree satisfies the requirement without field specificity are more likely to face scrutiny during adjudication.
Which degree fields support H-1B sponsorship for photonics roles?
Electrical engineering, optical engineering, physics, photonics, and applied optics are the most straightforward degree matches. Materials science and mechanical engineering can qualify if the employer documents that the specific role requires that field's coursework. According to O*NET, the occupation sits in Job Zone 4, requiring a four-year degree. Australian three-year bachelor's degrees are generally accepted by USCIS as equivalent.
Why do some photonics employers refuse to sponsor visas?
Defense and aerospace employers often cite security clearance requirements. Many photonics roles at those firms require a U.S. security clearance that non-U.S. citizens aren't eligible to hold, which makes sponsorship impractical regardless of technical qualifications. Commercial photonics, semiconductor, and fiber-optic telecom employers don't face this constraint and are more likely to sponsor. Filtering your search on Migrate Mate by visa-sponsoring employers helps surface those categories.
How does the H-1B lottery affect photonics engineers specifically?
The standard H-1B cap applies unless your employer qualifies as cap-exempt. Photonics engineers working for universities, nonprofit research institutions, or employers affiliated with federally funded R&D centers may be cap-exempt, meaning their petition can be filed at any time. For cap-subject roles, USCIS runs the annual registration lottery each March, with a 65,000 regular-cap and 20,000 U.S. master's degree exemption.
Can a Photonics Engineer qualify for an O-1A visa instead of H-1B?
Yes, and it's worth evaluating if your work includes peer-reviewed publications, patents, or conference presentations at recognized photonics venues like SPIE or OSA. The O-1A requires demonstrating extraordinary ability through evidence meeting at least three of eight USCIS criteria. Unlike the H-1B, there's no lottery and no annual cap, making it a viable alternative if your publication or invention record supports the petition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Photonics Engineer jobs?
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.
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