Principal Member of Technical Staff — Quantum Ion Trap Photonics Integration

Job Title

Principal Member of Technical Staff — Quantum Ion Trap Photonics Integration

Role Summary

Senior technical leader responsible for defining and driving integration of photonic components and optical interfaces for scalable ion-trap quantum computing platforms. The role sits in GF Labs / Technology Development and reports to the Quantum Ion Trap Lead Integrator.

Primary mission: translate photonics concepts into manufacturable semiconductor process and packaging solutions, align cross-functional teams, and deliver validated integration approaches that meet system-level requirements.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 12+ years experience in semiconductor, photonics, or advanced device integration fields.

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include architecture, development, and cross-functional execution of photonics integration for ion-trap systems.

• Define and lead photonics integration strategies: optical waveguides, gratings, couplers, modulators, and interfaces.
• Architect combined photonic and ion-trap integration approaches including BEOL integration and advanced packaging.
• Drive optimization of optical performance: coupling efficiency, insertion loss, alignment tolerances, variability, and crosstalk.
• Define and execute experiments, simulations, and characterization plans for device performance, yield, and reliability.
• Lead yield-learning, integration debug, and root-cause analysis of photonic/process integration issues.
• Translate quantum system requirements into manufacturable photonics design rules, process requirements, and test methodologies.
• Coordinate cross-functional alignment with photonics design, process integration, device engineering, packaging, reliability, and manufacturing teams.
• Define and track technical milestones and metrics for performance, variability, yield, and reliability.
• Serve as senior technical interface with internal leadership, customers, and external partners.
• Mentor engineers and establish best practices to ensure technical rigor, scalability, and repeatability.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, experience, and workplace expectations. Preferred items listed separately.

• Must-have: Extensive hands-on experience integrating photonic devices into semiconductor processes and packages, including waveguides, gratings, couplers, and modulators.
• Must-have: Proven experience in optical characterization and development of high-sensitivity measurement techniques for integrated photonics.
• Must-have: Experience with photonics modeling and simulation for PIC design and sensitivity to process variation.
• Must-have: Track record of cross-functional leadership delivering manufacturable solutions across device, process, packaging, and systems teams.
• Must-have: Ability to define experiments, run debug/RCAs, and drive yield and reliability improvements.
• Must-have: Travel availability ~10–15%.
• Nice-to-have: Experience supporting externally funded programs or joint development with government, academic, or industrial partners.

Education Requirements

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical field.

About the Company

Company: GlobalFoundries

Headquarters: Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

GlobalFoundries is a leading contract manufacturer for the global semiconductor industry, with facilities in multiple countries, including the USA. The company develops a broad portfolio of semiconductor technologies and employs around 13,000 people worldwide. GlobalFoundries focuses on enhancing competitiveness in specialized application solutions and fostering innovation in mobile communications, consumer electronics, and automotive applications.