Senior PIC Designer | Raleigh, NC | US Citizen | Up to 220k
Darwin is partnered with a well‑funded deep‑tech start‑up developing next‑generation solid‑state UV photonics technology. Their innovations are enabling compact, energy‑efficient solutions. Backed by leading investors and collaborating with major global industry partners, they’re growing their team at an exciting stage.
Responsibilities
- Design and model new passive photonic elements.
- Create models for nonlinear frequency conversion of light and assess total system performance in a photonic link budget.
- Design and model on‑chip electrical controls to tune photonic elements.
- Contribute to research and development into new materials that enhance nonlinear optical effects.
- Interface with photonic fabrication team to develop scripted layouts for new device testing and tolerance studies.
- Form design of experiments (DOE) that isolate and assess photonic performance.
- Interface with photonic testing team to oversee implementation of DOEs, analyze performance data, and provide insight on design requirements.
- Breakpoint new PIC designs in line with R&D and production schedules.
- Contribute to brainstorming, troubleshooting, and deep‑dives for hybrid integration and heterogeneously integrated PIC designs.
- Work with cross‑functional teams, consultants, and partners to steer device architecture to meet performance requirements.
- Contribute to IP disclosures for novel photonic devices, integrated lasers, and PIC designs.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative culture across the organization.
Qualifications & Skills
- Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering, physics, optics, materials science or equivalent experience.
- 4+ years of photonic industry experience in photonic component design, PIC design, and/or nonlinear optics design.
- Expertise in passive photonic device modeling, such as using COMSOL, FDTD, EME, PhotonForge, Rsoft, Synopsys, etc.
- Expertise in modeling electrical‑based tuning/modulation of passive photonic elements.
- Expertise in scripted photonic device layout.
- Experience in free‑space optics modeling.
- Experience in data analysis/visualization.
- Experience in interfacing PICs with external elements, such as free‑space optics, fiber (SM/MM), and/or off‑chip packaged lasers.
- Proficient in developing automated scripts for design, modeling, and/or testing for rapid feedback.
- Knowledge of semiconductor laser physics and intracavity photonic elements.
- Knowledge of Statistical Process Control, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, Failure Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, and Lean Manufacturing methods.
- Knowledge of design constraints for on‑chip photonic devices and on‑chip electrical controls.
About the Team
You will be joining a world‑class founding team at the forefront of far‑UVC semiconductor innovation with a mission to improve the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. This is a rare chance to build the commercial foundation of a deep‑tech start‑up, shape strategy, design new product lines, and directly influence the company’s trajectory and impact.
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