Principal Opto-Electronics Device Engineer

Job Title

Principal Opto-Electronics Device Engineer

Role Summary

Join a multidisciplinary Microsoft Research team developing next-generation AI infrastructure hardware. The role leads design, simulation, and lab characterization of high-speed electro-optic and photonic devices (lasers, microLEDs, modulators, photodetectors) and works with internal engineering and supplier partners to translate prototypes toward production.

The position requires hands-on device work, collaboration with electronics, packaging and system teams, and contributions to device modeling and manufacturability efforts.

Experience Level

Senior. Specific years of experience not specified; role requires demonstrated leadership and deep technical expertise in optoelectronic device design and characterization.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include design, simulation, fabrication coordination, and characterization of high-speed optoelectronic devices, plus cross-functional technical leadership.

• Design and optimize photonic and electro-optic device structures for high-speed optical communication.
• Perform optical, electrical, and thermal simulations to predict performance and guide layouts and fabrication.
• Collaborate with supplier partners and internal teams to execute tape-outs and move designs toward manufacturable processes.
• Conduct hands-on device characterization in the lab, including DC and high-frequency (S-parameter, eye diagram) measurements, optical power and spectral analysis, and reliability testing.
• Develop equivalent circuit and compact device models for co-simulation with electronic drivers and TIAs.
• Analyze experimental data, correlate with simulation, and iterate designs to meet performance targets.
• Serve as a technical expert advising cross-functional teams on device-level trade-offs and their system-level impact; contribute to IP and patent filings.

Requirements

List separates must-have technical requirements from preferred (nice-to-have) experience.

Must-have:

• Strong foundation in semiconductor physics (carrier transport, p-n junctions, photon–matter interactions).
• Demonstrated experience designing high-speed electro-optic devices operating at GHz frequencies.
• Proficiency with optical/device simulation tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics, Tidy3D, Ansys Lumerical (FDTD/MODE/CHARGE), HFSS, or Sentaurus/Silvaco TCAD.
• Hands-on experience with optoelectronic device characterization in lab environments, including high-speed RF measurements and optical test setups.
• Ability to operate effectively in multi-disciplinary engineering and research environments and communicate technical results clearly in English.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with microLEDs, laser or photodetector device design and characterization.
• Track record of tape-outs in photonic or optoelectronic foundry processes, including PDK development and design-for-manufacturability.
• Experience with III-V device fabrication and/or silicon photonics platforms.
• Knowledge of optical packaging, co-packaged optics, optical transceiver architectures, or datacenter interconnect requirements.
• Experience driving device concepts from prototype to production.

Education Requirements

Required: PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field (as stated in the posting).

About the Company

Company: Microsoft

Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States

Microsoft is a global technology company that develops and sells software, services, devices, and solutions. Known for its Windows operating system, Office suite, and Azure cloud platform, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and organizations around the world to achieve more. The company fosters a culture of innovation and inclusion, focusing on delivering trusted experiences to customers and partners globally.