PIC Design Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing and developing integrated photonic components and systems that enable cutting-edge quantum computing platforms.

You will work closely with physicists, optical engineers, and cross-disciplinary teams to create novel photonic integrated circuits (PICs), translate complex technical requirements into practical designs, and validate performance through simulation, layout, fabrication, and testing.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to advanced quantum computing systems while shaping the next generation of integrated photonic technology.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a multidisciplinary team of physicists and optical engineers to support the development of commercial and research systems for quantum computing.
• Design and develop integrated photonic components and systems in innovative ways to deliver, route, and manipulate light across the spectrum for quantum applications.
• Collaborate with architecture, physics, photonics, fabrication, and mechanical engineering teams to define system architectures and technical requirements that support quantum computing performance goals.
• Gather, analyze, and refine technical requirements, translate them into actionable design plans, and ensure that components and systems meet or exceed these requirements.
• Design novel integrated photonic components to meet challenging specifications in terms of performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Create and refine layouts for test photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and work closely with fabrication and test teams to validate photonic component and system performance.
• Lead and coordinate efforts within the PIC development team and with external vendors to ensure timely development, fabrication, and delivery of key demonstrator systems and components.
• Apply design-for-manufacturing principles to photonic circuits to ensure robust, scalable, and repeatable production.
• Work with photonics fabrication processes and metrology to evaluate materials, structures, and device performance, and feed results back into the design cycle.
• Contribute to product development activities related to photonic design, fabrication, and packaging of PIC systems.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to develop integrated solutions that balance optical, mechanical, electrical, and system-level constraints.
• Lead and mentor small teams, providing technical guidance and support to more junior engineers and researchers.
• Use photonic simulation tools and layout tools to model, optimize, and document photonic devices and circuits.
• Use and maintain optical and photonic systems in the lab, including setup, alignment, and troubleshooting.
• Perform testing and data analysis for optical experiments, including taking measurements, plotting and analyzing data, fitting models, and interpreting results to guide design improvements.
• Communicate design decisions, trade-offs, and results clearly to stakeholders across disciplines, contributing to reviews and technical documentation.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 6+ years of experience (advanced degree inclusive) with photonic integrated circuits (PIC) design using photonic simulation tools such as Lumerical, RSoft, or similar guided-mode and FDTD solvers, along with photonic layout tools such as Klayout, GDSFactory, or equivalent.
• Minimum 4+ years of experience (advanced degree inclusive) using and maintaining optical or photonic systems in a laboratory or product development environment.
• Strong hands-on experience in photonic design and integrated circuit layout, including test PICs and complex photonic architectures.
• Proficiency with photonic simulation tools (for example, Lumerical, RSoft, or comparable tools) for device and circuit-level modeling.
• Proficiency with photonic layout tools (for example, Klayout, GDSFactory, or comparable tools) for creating manufacturable designs.
• Broad understanding of optical principles and practices, and demonstrated experience applying this knowledge to real-world projects.
• Programming experience in Matlab, Python, and C for modeling, simulation, automation, and data analysis.
• Experience with testing and data analysis, including acquiring optical measurement data, plotting and analyzing results, fitting models, and interpreting outcomes to guide design decisions.
• Experience working with cross-disciplinary teams, including architecture, physics, fabrication, mechanical engineering, and photonics.
• Ability to gather technical requirements, convert them into clear action plans, and drive designs to meet performance and system-level targets.
• Additional Skills & Qualifications
• Ph D degree preferred in Optics, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; candidates with a Master’s degree, including those from strong research universities, are encouraged to apply.
• Openness to candidates from strong research backgrounds, including recent Ph D or Master’s graduates with relevant experience in photonics and integrated circuits.
• Experience with design-for-manufacturing for photonic integrated circuits and related systems.
• Experience with photonics fabrication processes and metrology, including working with foundries or internal fabrication teams.
• Experience with materials used in visible photonics circuits and optics, and understanding of their impact on device performance.
• Experience in product development related to photonic design, fabrication, and packaging of PIC systems.
• Experience leading and mentoring small technical teams, including coordinating tasks and providing technical direction.
• Experience collaborating with external vendors for PIC fabrication, packaging, or testing.
• Familiarity with quantum computing systems or advanced optical systems is beneficial.
• Experience with additional programming languages such as C++ is a plus.
• Interest in contributing to a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of photonics, physics, and quantum technologies.

Work Environment

The role supports the development of advanced quantum computing systems in a highly collaborative, research-intensive environment.

You will work closely with teams of scientists and engineers across multiple disciplines, including physics, photonics, architecture, fabrication, and mechanical engineering.

The position involves a mix of design, simulation, layout, and hands-on work with optical and photonic systems, including laboratory testing and data analysis.

Preferred work locations include Broomfield, Colorado, with a secondary option in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Fully remote work may be considered for the right candidate, subject to approval.

The organization operates in a fast-paced setting focused on innovation in quantum computing and integrated photonics, providing access to modern simulation tools, photonic layout environments, and advanced optical test equipment.

The culture emphasizes technical excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and the opportunity to contribute to world-leading quantum computing systems.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Broomfield, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $185000.00/yr.

A competitive salary and innovative, game-changing work Flexible work schedule Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit Equity, 401k retirement savings plan + 12 Paid holidays and generous vacation + sick time Paid parental leave Employee discounts

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Broomfield, CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions.

We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market.

With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.

S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a Clearly Rated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices. com for other accommodation options.

• San Francisco
• Fair
• Chance

Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

• Massachusetts
• Lie

Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment.

An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates.

AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team.

By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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