TFLN Team Intern – Design Automation

Job Summary

Engineering role focused on infrastructure development for facilitating the tape-out and characterization of compact, low-power, and high-performance photonic microsystems. These devices are targeted towards broad application spaces, including sensing, communications, and computation.

NTT Research Inc. is a leader in cutting-edge photonic technologies, driving innovation in telecommunications, optical computing, nonlinear optics, and quantum hardware. Our team is composed of world-class scientists and engineers developing next-generation optical systems; we aim to push the envelope at every level, from precision fabrication to system-scale design. We are now seeking a highly motivated and technically strong design automation intern to join our team and contribute to the advancement of technologies based on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN).

As a design automation intern, you will be responsible for reducing barriers to transitioning integrated photonic devices and systems from designs into manufacturing. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop and automate pipelines to improve manufacturability of cutting-edge TFLN devices.

• Implement automation routines for various stages of the design‑fabricate‑measure‑repeat workflow for photonics manufacturing
• Develop fabrication‑ready wafer layouts for photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
• Support design automation and enablement projects, depending on experience and length of internship. For example:

• Automate tape‑out of photonic circuit designs
• Streamline inline metrology and optical characterization of PICs
• Facilitate file preparation and data interchange
• Automate manufacturing data analysis and reporting

• Document and communicate research findings

• Exceptional candidates will be considered regardless of background.
• Experience using scripting or software tools for process automation (e.g. Python)
• Familiarity with foundry workflows for design, fabrication, and metrology
• Coursework in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

• Experience building dashboards or other graphical interfaces
• Experience with photonic chip design (GDSII layout, PDKs).
• Background in photonics fabrication.
• Experience working with academic or industry foundries.
• Pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in a related field
• Availability for 6+ month internship