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Integrated Photonics Engineer Jobs in Washington

Devyantram

Lead Photonics Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Key Responsibilities Photonics Engineering • Design and simulate photonic circuits, waveguides ... system-level integration. Strongly Preferred • Optical or holographic computing. • ...

Quandela

Senior Research Scientist US

Washington, DC · On-site

$111K - $142K/yr

The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across quantum physics, integrated photonics, electronics, algorithms, software, and engineering. The Senior Research Scientist ...

Quandela

Senior Research Scientist US

Washington, DC · On-site

$111K - $142K/yr

The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across quantum physics, integrated photonics, electronics, algorithms, software, and engineering. The Senior Research Scientist ...

Quandela SA

Senior Research Scientist US

Washington, DC · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across quantum physics, integrated photonics, electronics, algorithms, software, and engineering. The Senior Research Scientist ...

Quandela

Senior Research Scientist US

Washington, DC · On-site

$111K - $142K/yr

The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across quantum physics, integrated photonics, electronics, algorithms, software, and engineering. The Senior Research Scientist ...

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All JobsIntegrated Photonics Engineer JobsIntegrated Photonics Engineer Jobs in Washington

Integrated Photonics Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$49.8K

$120.5K

$196.5K

How much do integrated photonics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for integrated photonics engineer in Washington is $120,492.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,100.00 and $150,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an integrated photonics engineer do?

An Integrated Photonics Engineer designs, develops, and tests devices and systems that use light (photons) rather than electricity (electrons) for processing and transmitting information. They work on creating photonic circuits and components, such as waveguides, lasers, modulators, and detectors, which can be integrated onto semiconductor chips. These engineers play a crucial role in advancing technologies for telecommunications, data centers, sensors, and quantum computing by making photonic devices more efficient, compact, and scalable.

What are some common challenges integrated photonics engineers face when moving designs from prototype to mass production?

One of the main challenges Integrated Photonics Engineers encounter is ensuring that prototype designs can be reliably manufactured at scale while maintaining performance and quality. Variations in fabrication processes, such as wafer uniformity and device alignment, can introduce inconsistencies that impact device yield and functionality. Engineers often collaborate closely with fabrication facilities and quality assurance teams to optimize design tolerances and address production issues. Understanding and managing these challenges is crucial for a smooth transition from research and development to commercial deployment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an integrated photonics engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Integrated Photonics Engineer, you need a strong background in physics, optics, and electrical engineering, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with photonic simulation tools (like Lumerical or COMSOL), semiconductor fabrication processes, and cleanroom protocols is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills in this role. These abilities are essential for designing innovative photonic devices and successfully bringing them from concept to production.

What is the difference between Integrated Photonics Engineer vs Optical Systems Engineer?

AspectIntegrated Photonics EngineerOptical Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Photonics, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, fabrication facilities, R&D departmentsDesign, testing, and integration in systems or product development
Industry UsageTelecommunications, data centers, integrated photonics manufacturingOptical communication systems, defense, aerospace, and instrumentation

Integrated Photonics Engineers focus on designing and developing integrated photonic devices and circuits, often working in fabrication and R&D. Optical Systems Engineers work on designing and optimizing complete optical systems, including components and integration. While both roles require optical engineering knowledge, the main difference lies in the scope: device-level vs system-level focus.

What are popular job titles related to Integrated Photonics Engineer jobs in Washington?

For Integrated Photonics Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Integrated Photonics Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Integrated Photonics Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Integrated Photonics Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Integrated Photonics Engineer job openings:

Integrated Photonics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Integrated Photonics Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,492 per year, or $57.9 per hour.

Lead Photonics Engineer

Devyantram

Ashburn, VA • On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 hours ago

Job description

Devyantram is building a unified platform of bionic robots, from nanoscale to humanoid, powered by a bionic brain system that fuses biotechnology, nanotechnology, and AI to tackle global challenges in climate, medicine, and defense.
Role Summary
You will lead the design and development of Devyantram's photonic intelligence hardware supporting the CEREBRION bionic brain platform. You are responsible for architecting intelligence-substrate hardware, not just building individual components.
Key Responsibilities
Photonics Engineering
• Design and simulate photonic circuits, waveguides, resonators, and interferometers.
• Develop optical interconnects and signal-routing subsystems.
• Work on optical memory and optical compute elements.
• Target high-bandwidth sensing, low-latency communication, and energy-efficient computation.
• Own photonics fabrication, testing, and characterization.
Compute Hardware
• Contribute to unconventional, brain-inspired photonic compute hardware.
• Translate cognitive and AI requirements into physical implementations.
• Co-design with the bioengineering, mechatronics, and controls teams.
IP & Technical Leadership
• Generate foundational IP across photonics.
• Lead invention disclosures and support patent strategy with counsel.
• Define the long-term photonic hardware roadmap.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers.
Required Qualifications
• MS or PhD in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of demonstrated expertise in photonics engineering.
• Strong experience in nanofabrication.
• Proven ability to bridge theory, fabrication, and system-level integration.
Strongly Preferred
• Optical or holographic computing.
• Unconventional or non-von-Neumann computing.
• Brain-machine interfaces or neural probes.
• Advanced research lab or deep-tech startup experience.
A Successful Candidate Will Be Measured By
• Functionality and performance of the compute hardware.
• Successful design and fabrication of photonics systems.
• Reliability of hardware integration across subsystems.
• Strength, novelty, and defensibility of generated core IP.
The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.
The pay range for this role is:
150,000 - 170,000 USD per year (Ashburn, VA)

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