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Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Technergetics

On-Site Integrated Photonics Engineer

Rome, NY · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position: On-Site Integrated Photonics Engineer Position Details Salary Range:$85,000-$115,000 ... Familiarity with advanced photonic integration platforms (e.g., silicon photonics, heterogeneous ...

Technergetics

On-Site Integrated Photonics Engineer

Rome, NY · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

On-Site Integrated Photonics Engineer Position Details Salary Range: $85,000-$115,000 annually ... Familiarity with advanced photonic integration platforms (e.g., silicon photonics, heterogeneous ...

Teradyne

Hardware Engineer

Reading, MA · On-site

$175K - $280K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a member of the Silicon Photonics Engineering Staff, you will be a key player in the definition, implementation, and validation of complex automated test equipment that interfaces optical ports of ...

Teradyne

Hardware Engineer

North Reading, MA · On-site

$175K - $280K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a member of the Silicon Photonics Engineering Staff, you will be a key player in the definition, implementation, and validation of complex automated test equipment that interfaces optical ports of ...

nEye.ai

Photonics Lab Operator

Santa Clara, CA

$45 - $55/hr

... engineering. This role is ideal for someone who has spent years working hands-on with high-end ... Operate and support wafer-level test setups for silicon photonics and MEMS-based devices * Load ...

nEye.ai

Photonics Lab Operator

Santa Clara, CA

$45 - $55/hr

... engineering. This role is ideal for someone who has spent years working hands-on with high-end ... Operate and support wafer-level test setups for silicon photonics and MEMS-based devices * Load ...

nEye.ai

Photonics Lab Operator

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$45 - $55/hr

... engineering. This role is ideal for someone who has spent years working hands-on with high-end ... Operate and support wafer-level test setups for silicon photonics and MEMS-based devices * Load ...

nEye.ai

Photonics Test Technician

Santa Clara, CA

$45 - $55/hr

... engineering. This role is ideal for someone who has spent years working hands-on with high-end ... Operate and support wafer-level test setups for silicon photonics and MEMS-based devices * Load ...

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Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer information

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How much do entry level silicon photonics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level silicon photonics engineer in the United States is $69,362.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level silicon photonics engineers when transitioning from academia to industry?

Entry level silicon photonics engineers often find that the pace and priorities in industry differ significantly from academic research. In industry, there is a greater focus on product development cycles, meeting project deadlines, and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams, including electrical, optical, and process engineers. New engineers may also need to quickly adapt to proprietary simulation tools and fabrication processes unique to the company. Overcoming these challenges typically involves proactive learning, seeking mentorship from senior colleagues, and developing strong communication skills to ensure successful integration into the team.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level silicon photonics engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer, you typically need a degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field with a solid understanding of photonics, optics, and semiconductor device fundamentals. Familiarity with simulation tools like Lumerical, COMSOL, and experience in cleanroom fabrication or optical testing are often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help you excel in collaborative, research-driven environments. These competencies are crucial for designing innovative photonic devices, ensuring device performance, and driving advancements in integrated optical technology.

What does an entry level silicon photonics engineer do?

An Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer works on the design, fabrication, and testing of photonic devices that use silicon as a medium for light-based data transmission. They assist senior engineers in developing advanced optical components used in telecommunications, data centers, and computing. Their tasks may include simulations, hands-on laboratory work, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate photonic solutions. This role is ideal for recent graduates with backgrounds in electrical engineering, physics, or related fields who are interested in cutting-edge optical technology.

What is the difference between Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer vs Optical Test Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Silicon Photonics EngineerOptical Test Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field; knowledge of photonics and semiconductor fabricationBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related; experience with optical testing and measurement tools
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, semiconductor fabrication facilities, R&D departmentsTesting labs, manufacturing facilities, quality assurance teams
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, photonics startups, research institutionsOptical component manufacturers, telecom companies, R&D labs

While both roles involve optics and photonics, the Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer focuses on designing and developing silicon-based photonic devices, whereas the Optical Test Engineer specializes in testing and validating optical components and systems. The former is more involved in product development, while the latter emphasizes quality assurance and testing processes.

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Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Silicon Photonics Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,362 per year, or $33.3 per hour.

R&D Engineer - Integrated Photonics

PsiQuantum

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

PsiQuantum's mission is to build the first useful quantum computers-machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. 

Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries. 

Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry-including partners like GlobalFoundries-we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don't feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. 

In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining-and that now is the time to scale. 

PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies-including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical-to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact. 

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift-and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real. 

Come join us. 

Job Summary:

PsiQuantum is seeking an Integrated Photonics Engineer to support the characterization and validation of advanced photonic circuits underpinning our quantum computing platform.

In this role, you will design and execute experiments to test complex optical circuits, working closely with circuit designers and system engineers. You will play a key role in developing automated experimental workflows and advancing our understanding of integrated photonic devices.

Responsibilities:

  • Design and execute experiments to characterize integrated photonic circuits across multiple optical wavelengths.
  • Test and analyze devices incorporating components such as directional couplers, interferometers, and EO modulators.
  • Develop automated experimental control and data acquisition systems (Python preferred).
  • Characterize complex integrated optics-based circuits and interpret experimental results.
  • Collaborate with design teams to troubleshoot device performance and improve future iterations.
  • Generate detailed reports and documentation for experimental procedures and results.
  • Contribute to the development of scalable testing methodologies for large-scale photonic systems.

Experience/Qualifications:

  • PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Strong experimental background in integrated optics and photonic circuit characterization.
  • Hands-on experience with key components such as directional couplers, interferometers (MZI/AMZI), and phase shifters.
  • Proficiency in Python for experiment automation and data analysis.
  • Experience working with complex optical measurement setups.

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to recruiting@psiquantum.com.

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

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