Staff Photonic Design Engineer

Company Description

Open Light is a photonics design company that offers the world’s first open silicon photonics platform with integrated lasers. Our technology is used in Datacom, telecom, LiDAR, healthcare, HPC, AI, and optical computing applications. Our goal is to improve the performance, power efficiency, and reliability of your design using our open and flexible platform. We have over 300 patents and our technology has been adopted by companies across multiple industries enabling new possibilities for photonics engineering.

Role Description

As a member of OpenLight’s Silicon Photonics (SiPh) team, the candidate will be responsible for the development, design, and integration of opto-electronic devices in OpenLight’s proprietary heterogenous silicon-IIIV photonic platform. The candidate will lead the design of III-V epitaxial material and device design of in-plan single-frequency lasers and tunable lasers, amplifiers, detectors and other optoelectronic components. The candidate will also perform characterization and validation of the fabricated device performance, and build compact models for OpenLight’s open market PDK.

The successful candidate requires a deep knowledge of III-V opto-electronic device theory and a proven track-record in bringing photonic integrated circuit (PIC) based products to market. The candidate will work cross-functionally with PIC architects, RF, process, layout, test and reliability engineers in order to define, design, integrate and validate high-power and high-speed optoelectronic devices using OpenLight’s SiPh technology.

Why Join Us

Be part of a cutting-edge startup with a strong history of technology innovation. Work alongside a team of talented professionals in the field of silicon photonics – both new and industry veterans. Competitive salary and benefits package and opportunity for career growth and professional development. If you are highly motivated and technically proficient apply today to help shape the future of optical applications. To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience.

Responsibilities:

• Ownership of design, integration, characterization, and validation of III-V laser, amplifier and detector devices that meet product specifications
• Design of III-V epitaxial material
• Use custom built and commercial simulations tools to design and model in-plane laser and detector device performance
• Define device CAD layouts in close collaboration with integration and layout engineers
• Develop compact models for laser and detector devices in OpenLight SiPh PDK
• Work with process engineers to define and optimize the device structures and processes
• Work closely with test engineering to define characterization strategy of IIIV devices on both wafer and die levels, as owner of data analysis and parameter extractions
• Work with reliability engineering to define qualification and reliability strategy, and perform device centric failure analysis in close collaboration with integration and process engineers
• Work closely with PIC and system architects to validate device performance versus specifications
• Manage, coordinate with, and qualify external suppliers/partners like epi vendors

Skills and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Material Science, Applied Physics or related discipline
• 5 years of relevant professional experience
• In-depth knowledge of device physics and design of optoelectronic III-V devices in particular lasers and amplifiers. Knowledge and experience in detector is a plus
• Strong knowledge of epitaxial layer design and simulation of IIIV photonic devices in particular lasers and amplifiers, with experience on commercial software like Crosslight, Silvaco or similar
• Knowledge of laser cavity and grating design
• Knowledge of photonics simulation techniques (FEM, BPM, EME, FDTD etc.) and hands-on experience with commercial design and modelling software (Lumerical, Rsoft, Photon Design or similar)
• Good understanding of integrated photonics and semiconductor Si and III-V processing 
• Proficiency in programming with scripting languages (preferably Python)
• Understanding of opto-electronic device requirements for datacom and LiDAR applications
• Hands-on experience with photonic device characterization. High-speed RF measurement is a plus, but not required
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills