Photonics Design Engineer

HyperLight is at the forefront of the commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics - a material and process technology that is enabling high-performance, scalable optical components across AI/datacom infrastructure, hyperscale computing, quantum computing, sensing, and beyond. Founded in 2018 and backed by leading venture capital, we’ve built a team and a platform focused on real-world mass deployment of TFLN photonics technology.

At the core of our work is the TFLN Chiplet™ platform — a modular, integrated architecture designed for scalability, manufacturability, and seamless integration into complex systems. It offers a rare combination of extraordinary performance and industrial readiness, enabling system developers across applications to deploy the technology fast and ready. We partner with our customers and suppliers from conceptualization, design, and prototyping phases, all the way through mass production to ensure smooth and rapid deployment of TFLN photonic technology.

We believe our platform is the key, in the golden age of integrated photonics industry, to empower humanity to the next level. We assembled a world class team covering engineering, business and operations. We believe in the power of integrity, innovation, collaboration and pragmatic solutions. Our diverse team thrives on challenges and is united by a shared commitment to excellence. We take pride in tackling complex challenges with curiosity, humility, and a deep sense of care for one another.

We are seeking a Senior Photonics Design Engineer to join our growing team. In this position, you will be responsible for the design and validation of photonic integrated circuit device components, including both passive optical devices like fiber couplers or wavelength multiplexers as well as active devices like thermos-optic phase shifters and electro-optic modulators. As a Senior Photonics Design Engineer, you will play a key role in developing cutting-edge solutions for advanced photonic integrated circuits.

Join us to make a real-world impact in a fast-paced, collaborative and high-growth environment.

Responsibilities:

• Own the design and delivery of high-performance, robust passive and/or active device components to our team and customers.
• Collaborate to define requirements for device components in our process design kit (PDK).
• Critically review existing literature on component design and select component architectures.
• Simulate component designs using FEA tools like Lumerical, Tidy3D, HFSS, CST, and COMSOL.
• Develop rigorous measurement techniques to assess component performance.
• Analyze measurement and simulation data for performance and robustness.
• Collaborate across the team to improve our fabrication processes for optimal device performance.
• Serve as a technical expert within HyperLight to help guide our engineering decisions.

Requirements

• Either 5+ years of relevant work experience or equivalent experience through an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Strong expertise with passive and/or active photonic device component design, including hands-on development of multiple successful designs.
• Strong expertise in finite element analysis of PIC components using tools like Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL, Synopsys OptoDesigner, etc.
• Extensive hands-on experience performing measurements to characterize photonic integrated circuits using instruments like swept lasers, fiber alignment stages, VNAs, BERTs, oscilloscopes, etc.
• Extensive experience with data analysis and statistical methods such as design of experiments using tools like JMP or Python.
• Demonstrated record of innovation and achievement, e.g. product designs, publications, or patents.
• Familiarity with the entire PIC engineering process, including simulation, layout (using tools like ipkiss, gdsfactory, Cadence, KLayout, etc.), fabrication, test, and device operation.
• Familiarity with Monte Carlo analysis, link budget analysis, inverse design, IMDD, or coherent optical communication systems would be a plus.
• Authorization to work in the US is required. This position is onsite at HyperLight HQ.

Benefits

• Competitive market-based compensation
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, vision, and dental plans for individuals and families
• 401(k) retirement plans with employee matching
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life and disability insurance
• Commuter benefits and subsidies
• Professional growth and mentorship opportunities

HyperLight is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.