Silicon Photonics Component Design Engineer

Job Title

Silicon Photonics Component Design Engineer

Role Summary

Join Intel Foundry's Silicon Photonics Process Development and Manufacturing (SPDM) team to design, simulate, and validate silicon photonic components for optical interconnects and data-center networking. Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to improve device performance, manufacturability, and advance the silicon photonics technology roadmap.

Experience Level

Mid-level (experienced hire). Typical experience per minimum qualifications: PhD +2 years or Master's +4 years of relevant experience; role aligns with mid-career engineers.

Responsibilities

The role focuses on design, optimization, validation, and methodology development for silicon photonic components and photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

• Design and simulate photonic components: lasers, modulators, high-speed photodetectors, passive devices, and waveguide structures.
• Contribute to PIC design and architecture evaluations.
• Perform simulations, tolerance studies, and design evaluations to improve device performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Support test chip execution: layout coordination, tape-out preparation, and silicon validation in collaboration with fabrication and test teams.
• Analyze characterization and test data to identify performance trends and root causes; implement data-driven design improvements.
• Develop photonic device models, simulation workflows, and automation tools; improve test methodologies and engineering processes.
• Evaluate emerging photonic technologies and support proof-of-concept demonstrations and IP development.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience required for immediate contribution. Preferred skills are listed as nice-to-have.

• Must-have: Hands-on experience with high-speed photonic devices (optical modulators, photodetectors) and photonic device testing/characterization.
• Must-have: Photonic design and simulation experience with tools such as Sentaurus, Silvaco, Lumerical, HFSS, ADS, RSoft, or equivalent.
• Must-have: Data analysis proficiency using MATLAB, Python, JMP, or similar tools.
• Must-have: Photonic layout/design experience using Cadence, KLayout, or comparable environments; familiarity with test-chip execution and tape-out processes.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with silicon photonic modulator or detector design, micro-ring modulators, BTO, TFLN, or III-V integration.
• Nice-to-have: Understanding of high-speed electronic ICs (TIAs, drivers, equalization, DSP) and optical link/system-level performance analysis.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with devices operating at 100G+ data rates, semiconductor foundry development processes, publications, patents, or customer-facing product development.

Education Requirements

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with 2+ years of relevant silicon photonics experience; or a Master's degree in a related field with 4+ years of relevant experience. Fields cited include Electrical Engineering and Physics; photonics-related research or equivalent technical training is expected.

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.