Photonic Development Engineer

Photonic Development Engineer
Rochester, NY (On-site)
$90,000 – $150,000

Overview
A leading developer of advanced photonics technologies is seeking a Photonic Development Scientist to drive the development of next-generation photonic and integrated photonic devices.
This role bridges R&D, engineering, and product development, with a focus on turning cutting-edge concepts into scalable, manufacturable solutions.


Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of photonic devices from concept through to production
• Design, simulate, and layout integrated photonic circuits (PICs)
• Build and characterise early prototypes, including PIC coupling to gain chips and fibres
• Analyse system performance and validate functionality
• Collaborate with product management to define product direction and market fit
• Work with external partners and establish supply chain strategies
• Support lab and manufacturing setup for photonics development and testing
• Partner cross-functionally with electrical, mechanical, and systems teams
• Contribute to new materials, processes, and continuous product improvement
• Engage with the wider photonics community and support customer-facing activities

Requirements

• PhD in Photonics, Semiconductor Physics, or related field
• Strong experience with photonic simulation tools (e.g. Lumerical)
• Proven PIC design and layout experience (e.g. Nazca, GDSFactory)
• Understanding of fabrication processes and constraints
• Strong communication skills

Nice to Have

• Hands-on photonic fabrication experience
• Experience with silicon nitride platforms or low-loss design
• Integration of gain materials (e.g. laser diodes, SOAs)
• Familiarity with advanced concepts (e.g. thermorefractive noise, self-injection locking)

Package

• $90,000 – $150,000 salary
• Fully funded medical and dental coverage
• Life & disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO + 12 public holidays
• Year-end shutdown