Principal Engineer, Optics Engineering

Principal Engineer, Optics Engineering

Department: Hardware Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: British Columbia, Canada

Compensation: The base annual salary range for this full-time role is between $156,000 to $215,000. This range reflects the minimum and maximum target range for new hire base salary across all Canadian locations. Actual compensation may vary outside of this range and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs.

Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Photonic is looking for an experienced Optics Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design and engineering of optical sub-systems that advance Photonic’s quantum computing roadmap.

In this role, you will collaborate across science and engineering teams to move optical sub-system designs from prototype into reliable and manufacturable solutions. Your responsibilities include technical leadership to drive the design, build, and test roadmap of sub-systems containing precision optical sources, single‑photon fiber networks, and telemetry for in‑system diagnostics in the O‑band regime, while ensuring cross‑ functional alignment of sub-system specifications to the requirements.

This role will advance Photonic’s capabilities in collaboration with strategic suppliers, covering new components, designs, and test and manufacturing methods.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on problem solver who thrives in a fast‑paced, research‑driven environment excited by the challenges of strengthening Photonic’s product development methodologies.

Please include a cover letter with your resume (in one file) describing how you would be a great fit at Photonic and what attributes you could bring to our growing team.

• Define optical design and validation flows (tools, methods, testing)
• Lead the specification and modeling of the optical link architecture
• Define and execute roadmap to deliver fiber‑based electro‑optical assemblies and sub‑systems, leveraging state‑of‑the‑art photonic technologies
• Track and meet technical and programmatic requirements (i.e. performance, stability, reliability, noise/environmental sensitivity, uptime, space, cost, schedule, etc.)
• Identify new component technologies and drive innovations where needed to execute roadmap
• Drive delivery cadence in alignment with Photonic’s integrated photonics and quantum systems teams
• Define telemetry and control schemes to monitor and optimize optical parameters that are critical to Photonic’s quantum system performance requirements

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Optics, Engineering or Engineering Physics
• Over 15 years of industry experience in sectors such as telecommunications and data centers
• Proven track record of driving innovation in optical solutions, leading to successful market adoption
• Experience with development of fiber‑based C‑ or O‑band systems from pathfinding through to volume production
• Experience with test instruments and procedures, and data analysis for characterizing optical performance
• Proficient with optical design, modeling, and data analysis software
• Sustained track record in driving innovation in fiber‑based optics with results in market adoption
• Experience in following a project lifecycle, delivering new products on cadence, including requirements, designs, build and test flows
• Expertise in roadmap definition with stakeholder and supply chain alignment
• Leadership on design methodology for optical engineering
• Experience in driving cross-functional collaboration and alignment
• Excellent technical leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills

An exceptional candidate will bring:

• Familiarity with intellectual property development and technology commercialization
• Experience in a high‑growth or startup environment
• Proficient with Python or other scripting languages
• Familiarity with CAD/modeling tools (ex. Solidworks, Lumerical,…