Photonic Development Engineer

Share this Job Reference:BH-2343 Sector:Electrical Engineering, Photonics / Opto Salary:$90,000 to $150,000 Per Annum Benefits:0 Town/City:Rochester Contract Type:Permanent 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