Sr. Photonic Design Engineer

Job Title

Sr. Photonic Design Engineer

Role Summary

Senior technical contributor responsible for end-to-end design and delivery of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) solutions for optical I/O in next-generation AI and HPC systems. The role coordinates across hardware, packaging, foundry, and test teams and works with external partners to plan, develop, and optimize PIC architectures and production-ready implementations.

Experience Level

Senior level — experienced engineer (senior contributor / subject matter expert).

Responsibilities

The core responsibilities focus on PIC architecture, device and circuit design, link-budget analysis, verification, and readiness for high-volume manufacturing.

• Design and develop OE systems in advanced silicon photonics processes for DWDM and CWDM optical I/O.
• Define PIC architectures and detailed TX/RX chains, components, and test methodologies to meet product requirements.
• Model and optimize Optical I/O link budgets with systems teams, accounting for device, channel, and process limits.
• Drive photonic PDK, device and circuit design, layout, simulation, and verification.
• Establish design-for-test and manufacturing-ready practices to enable high-volume manufacturing.
• Participate in design reviews as the silicon photonics subject matter expert.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with EIC, packaging, foundry, test development, and product teams to deliver design and test automation solutions.
• Support packaging, wafer/die/package-level test, failure analysis, reliability, qualification and production debug.

Requirements

Key technical qualifications and constraints for candidates. Items labeled "Preferred" are not strictly mandatory.

• Demonstrated track record driving photonic PDK, device and circuit design and delivering production-ready PICs.
• Subject-matter expertise in PIC theory, device physics, layout, simulation, packaging, test, manufacturing, reliability, qualification and field support.
• Experience working with foundry silicon photonics process technologies and translating process capabilities into designs.
• Experience with photonic test instrumentation and wafer/die/package-level testing.
• Proficient in scripting and software development for design/test automation and data analysis; Python experience preferred. (Cadence development experience preferred.)
• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, and cross-team collaboration skills.
• Ability to drive schedule, manage cost, and enforce DFx practices.
• Location requirement: role based in San Jose, CA; this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related discipline preferred (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering). Degree preferred but not strictly required if equivalent industry experience is demonstrated.

About the Company

Company: Advanced Micro Devices

Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, USA

Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, is a global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures microprocessors, graphics processors, and related technologies for a variety of computing devices. Known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, AMD's mission is to deliver high-performance computing solutions for AI, data centers, gaming, and embedded applications. They foster a collaborative, inclusive culture focused on creativity and problem-solving, aiming to drive progress and excellence in technology.