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Integrated Photonics Engineer Jobs in Washington

Jobtailor

Photonics Engineer

Adelphi, MD · On-site

$100 - $160/hr

Work with multi‑mode (mixed analog/digital/photonics) integrated circuit designers to develop requirements and specifications for fabricated and heterogeneously integrated electronics such as ...

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 ...

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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 Aug 12, 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.

How much does an integrated photonics engineer make?

An integrated photonics engineer's salary typically ranges from $80,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in photonic design and fabrication can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000.

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 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 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.

Are integrated photonics engineers in demand?

Integrated photonics engineers are in high demand due to the growing need for advanced optical communication, sensing, and computing technologies. The field offers strong job prospects, especially for those with skills in photonic design, fabrication, and testing, and often requires knowledge of tools like CAD software and cleanroom environments.

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.
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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.

Photonics Engineer

Jobtailor

Adelphi, MD • On-site

$100 - $160/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Responsibilities
  • Research adversary warfare systems technology trends and techniques
  • Participate in defining requirements for EW compact payloads
  • Apply knowledge of adversary technologies and notional blue‑force concepts of operations to define requirements for EW compact payloads
  • Derive RF requirements for mixed analog, digital and photonics design and translate into photonics specifications
  • Apply novel trends in photonics RF such as wideband receivers and transmitters, oscillators, low‑noise amplifiers, high‑power amplifiers, filters, and photonics computation to EW applications including receive, process, and transmit
  • Work with multi‑mode (mixed analog/digital/photonics) integrated circuit designers to develop requirements and specifications for fabricated and heterogeneously integrated electronics such as photonics integrated circuits
  • Work with ARL photonics experts and utilize lab equipment to develop physical bench‑level and lab demonstrations of photonics EW applications
  • Work with ARL manufacturing experts to integrate photonics RF into heterogeneous structures consisting of conformal antennas, photonics, analog and digital electronics, bio‑inspired computing and emerging energy storage layers
Requirements
  • Recent graduate of PhD program from an R1 university with specialization in Photonics RF to include receivers, transmitters, mixers, filters, oscillators, and photonics computation
  • Strong communication (both written and verbal) skills
  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment
  • US Citizen with ability to obtain a Secret Clearance
  • Completion of Post‑Doc
  • Experience with EW applications
  • Working knowledge of MATLAB or Python
  • Interest in advancing and prioritizing national security technologies
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