Photonic System Design Engineer

Job Title

Photonic System Design Engineer

Role Summary

Design and develop photonic components and subsystem architectures for high-speed silicon-photonic optical transceivers. Work across component design, simulation, test-chip execution, characterization, and validation with cross-functional teams (chip design, layout, test engineering, and packaging).

Focus areas include lasers, modulators, detectors, passive elements, and subsystem modeling to meet performance, power, area, and reliability targets.

Experience Level

Mid-level - Experienced hire. Typical candidates have multi-year industry experience in silicon photonics and high-speed optical communications (guidance in posting: PhD +4 years or Master’s +6 years).

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include device- and system-level design, coordination of test-chip programs, and driving validation and IP work.

• Define and drive development of photonic components and influence photonic IC architecture.
• Architect, design, simulate, and develop lasers, SOAs, modulators, detectors, passives, and III‑V-on‑silicon solutions.
• Perform tolerance analysis and optimize components for performance, power, area, and reliability.
• Lead test-chip execution and coordination: chip design, layout, tapeout, testing, and validation.
• Analyze characterization data, identify performance gaps, and define improvement plans.
• Develop and implement component and system modeling and new test methodologies.
• Research novel photonic component technologies, define next-generation architectures, and initiate IP development.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; preferred items listed separately.

• Industry experience in system link modeling and design methodology for high-speed optical transceivers (typical baud rates 50–200 GBaud).
• Experience architecting and defining systems and components for commercial silicon-photonics optical products.
• Modeling experience for direct-detect and coherent optical systems, including modulators, detectors, and lasers.
• Proficiency with optical/electrical simulation tools such as Simulink, MATLAB, ADS, Lumerical, HFSS, VPI, or similar.
• Ability to coördinate across chip design, layout, test, and validation and to analyze test data to drive improvements.

Nice-to-have / preferred:

• Experience co-simulating high-speed electronics with optical components and DSP modeling (coding/decoding, OSNR/BER/FEC).
• Familiarity with CMOS ICs (drivers, TIAs), SerDes interactions, and system-level interconnect optimization.
• Experience with optical packaging (2D/2.5D/3D), component/subsystem characterization, and III‑V photonic device integration.

Education Requirements

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a similar discipline with focus on silicon photonics, optical components, modules, or transmission systems plus 6+ years industry experience; OR PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a similar discipline with focus on silicon photonics plus 4+ years industry experience. Relevant research, internships, or equivalent practical experience may be considered as part of the experience background.

About the Company

Company: Intel Corporation

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, USA

Intel Corporation is a leading multinational technology company known for its innovative semiconductor solutions, including microprocessors, artificial intelligence accelerators, and memory products. Headquartered in the United States, Intel focuses on cutting-edge technology and a collaborative working environment, driving advancements in semiconductor manufacturing to meet global demands. The company emphasizes professional development and aims to shape the future of technology through groundbreaking designs.