Optical Engineer - III

Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) is seeking an Optical Engineer - III, Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Design & Analysis for an onsite position with a Leading Technology Firm located in Redmond, WA. This is a 12+ month contract opportunity.

Summary:
This role focuses on delivering state-of-the-art near-to-eye display system technologies within a research and development team. The ideal candidate will have expertise in integrated photonics device design and metrology, gained through a Ph.D. or industry experience.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop complete Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), from fundamental component blocks to full-circuit implementations, with a strong emphasis on active device integration
• Generate, verify, and prepare fabrication-ready layout files, ensuring compliance with foundry Process Design Kits (PDKs) for external fabrication
• Conduct systematic design analysis, including optimization and parametric studies, to guide design decisions
• Support the entire design-to-fabrication pipeline, from initial concept through tapeout, coordinating closely with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Collaborate with program leadership, Technical Program Managers (TPMs), and researchers on PIC designs that align with overall program objectives

Requirements:

• MS or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, or a closely related field
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in the design, simulation, and layout of PICs for visible or IR wavelengths on platforms such as Si, SiN, LiNbO, or BTO
• 3+ years of experience utilizing photonic device simulation and electromagnetic modeling tools for both component and circuit-level analysis (e.g., Lumerical FDTD/MODE/DEVICE, Ansys Photonics, Synopsys RSoft, or COMSOL Multiphysics)
• 2+ years of experience with PIC layout tools and GDSII generation (e.g., KLayout, Cadence Virtuoso, gdsfactory, or equivalent), including familiarity with foundry PDK integration and design rule verification
• 2+ years of experience with scientific programming (e.g., Python or MATLAB) for scripting, design automation, and analysis
• 1+ years of experience supporting or executing PIC tapeouts at a commercial semiconductor foundry, including an understanding of fabrication process constraints (e.g., propagation losses, sidewall roughness, etch non-idealities)

Desired skills:

• 3+ years experience in active PIC design, fabrication, and validation, particularly for visible wavelengths on LiNbO or BTO platforms
• 3+ years of experience in design space exploration, sensitivity analysis, and statistical performance/yield modeling for photonic circuits
• 3+ years of experience with one or more major photonic simulation tool suites (e.g., Lumerical, Synopsys, COMSOL, or equivalent)
• 2+ years of experience utilizing photonic circuit-level simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical Interconnect, Synopsys Opt Sim, or VPIphotonics) for system-level performance evaluation
• 2+ years of experience in photonic device characterization and test, including both optical and electro-optic measurements
• 1+ years experience with fiber optics, free-space optics, PIC packaging, and comprehensive device characterization
• 1+ years experience with semiconductor fabrication processes and a deep understanding of process-induced performance limitations, such as optical losses, sidewall roughness, and process variability
• Demonstrated ability to directly incorporate fabrication constraints into PIC designs (e.g., optimizing minimum feature sizes and bend radii, implementing effective tapering strategies, and using layout techniques to mitigate scattering and coupling losses)

Pay range: up to $88.95 per Hour

Only candidates available and ready to work directly as Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) employees will be considered for this position.

If you have the described qualifications and are interested in this exciting opportunity, apply today!

Aptask Global Workforce (AGW)
ApTask Global Workforce (AGW) is a certified Minority and Veteran workforce solutions company. AGW delivers operational, clinical, lab and professional talent with a strong focus on healthcare and life sciences. The company supports clients with reliable staffing, program expertise and a commitment to quality, speed and consistent delivery.

Benefits of working with ApTask Global Workforce include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Sick Pay (for applicable states/municipalities)

Our team stays close to the process and is here to guide you every step of the way. To learn more, please visit our website

ApTask Global Workforce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.