Computer Vision & Optical Engineering - Optical Engineer III Job Redmond area,Washington USA,Engineering

Optical Engineer III

We are seeking a passionate Optical Engineer to join our research and development team. This role focuses on delivering state-of-the-art near-to-eye display system technologies. The ideal candidate will have expertise in novel 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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).

Candidate Requirements:
Minimum Years of

Experience:

5-7 years

Must-Have

Skills:

PIC Design & Simulation: 3+ years designing, simulating, and laying out photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for visible/IR wavelengths.

Photonic Modeling Tools:
Proficiency with tools like Lumerical, Ansys Photonics, Synopsys RSoft, or COMSOL for device/circuit analysis.

PIC Layout & Tapeout:
Experience with layout tools (KLayout, Cadence Virtuoso, gdsfactory), GDSII generation, and supporting tapeouts at commercial foundries.

Nice-to-Have

Skills:

Active PIC Design & Validation:
Experience in active PIC design, fabrication, and validation, especially for visible wavelengths.

Device Characterization:
Skills in optical/electro-optic measurements, fiber optics, free-space optics, and PIC packaging.

Statistical Modeling & Sensitivity Analysis:
Experience in design space exploration, yield modeling, and incorporating fabrication constraints.

Degrees/Certifications

Required:

MS or Ph.D. degree (preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, or a closely related field.

How many rounds of interviews? 1 round, panel interview with 2–3 interviewers, Duration: 1 hour

Focus: Q&A covering diffractive optics, hands-on experimental experience, and discussion of the candidate's PhD work