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Integrated Photonics Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

We are adding a motivated Silicon Photonics Engineer to join our small, fast-moving team and help take photonic integrated circuits from concept to silicon. The successful candidate will be ...

We are adding a motivated Silicon Photonics Engineer to join our small, fast-moving team and help take photonic integrated circuits from concept to silicon. The successful candidate will be ...

Lead Photonics Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

... system-level integration. Strongly Preferred • Optical or holographic computing. • ... of photonics systems. • Reliability of hardware integration across subsystems. • Strength ...

QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the world today. QCi products are designed to operate at room temperature and low ...

QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the world today. We are the pioneers of Entropy Quantum Computing (EQC), utilizing ...

QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the world today. QCi products are designed to operate at room temperature and low ...

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$131K - $170K/yr

Experience with pulsed lasers, fiber optics, free-space optics, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, imaging and radiometric tools, or integrated photonics * Experience analyzing the effectiveness of HEL ...

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$131K - $170K/yr

Experience with pulsed lasers, fiber optics, free-space optics, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, imaging and radiometric tools, or integrated photonics * Experience analyzing the effectiveness of HEL ...

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Integrated Photonics information

See Virginia salary details

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$75

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How much do integrated photonics jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for integrated photonics in Virginia is $75.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.81 and $102.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is integrated photonics?

An Integrated Photonics job involves designing, developing, and testing photonic circuits that use light instead of electricity for communication, sensing, and computing applications. Professionals in this field work on miniaturizing optical components onto semiconductor chips to improve performance and efficiency in industries like telecommunications, medical diagnostics, and quantum computing. Roles may include research scientists, design engineers, and process engineers, often requiring expertise in optics, semiconductor fabrication, and materials science.

What are the typical responsibilities of someone working in integrated photonics?

Professionals in Integrated Photonics are typically responsible for designing, simulating, fabricating, and characterizing photonic circuits and components used in applications such as communications, sensors, or quantum technologies. Their daily tasks often include collaborating with cross-functional teams of engineers and researchers, analyzing experimental data, and troubleshooting device performance. Many also participate in process development and may assist with scaling prototypes to manufacturing. Working in this role offers exposure to cutting-edge technology and opportunities for career advancement in both research and industrial settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in integrated photonics?

To thrive in Integrated Photonics, you need a strong background in physics, optics, materials science, and photonic circuit design, often supported by an advanced degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with design software like Lumerical, COMSOL Multiphysics, and experience with cleanroom fabrication processes and optical testing equipment are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and clear communication are vital traits for success in this multidisciplinary field. These skills and qualities ensure effective collaboration, innovation, and the development of reliable, high-performance photonic devices.

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

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

Infographic showing various Integrated Photonics job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $156,046 per year, or $75 per hour.

Silicon Photonics Engineer

Psionic

Hampton, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Silicon Photonics Engineer
Psionic, Inc is a startup focused on lidar sensors and navigation systems for autonomous vehicles. We value our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. We offer a competitive salary and attractive benefits package.
We are adding a motivated Silicon Photonics Engineer to join our small, fast-moving team and help take photonic integrated circuits from concept to silicon. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, layout, and verification of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) for FMCW lidar systems. You will work directly with commercial foundries, and see your layouts turn into fabricated chips. The role requires experience with PIC layout tools and foundry tape outs to complement our on-site team in Hampton, VA.
Job Description
The primary purpose of this position is to design and develop silicon photonic components and subsystems. You will work with a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering team. A breadth of engineering expertise building real world high-speed, electro-optical systems is needed. Excellent communications skills are critical for success.
The successful candidate requires knowledge necessary to create and maintain PDK-based layouts for fabrication using script-driven tools. The job requires working directly with commercial CMOS/photonic foundries to prepare tape-outs, resolve DRC issues, and support fabrication runs. The applicant will interact with a broad interdisciplinary team composed of experts in integrated photonics device and circuit design, free space optical design, device test, quality, electrical ICs design, chip assembly, component packaging, etc.
Our designs must perform under stringent environmental conditions. Integrated optical sensors and supporting electronics are necessary to achieve high-performance requirements. The successful candidate will be familiar with the integrated photonics lab testing techniques and procedures to analyze and predict system performance across highly variable environmental conditions. The work involves hardware development as well as testing and conducting performance validation and verification of photonic devices.
Responsibilities
  • Design silicon photonic components and subsystems from the ground up.
  • Create and maintain Process Design Kit (PDK)-based layouts for fabrication using script-driven tools.
  • Work directly with commercial Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS)/photonic foundries to prepare tape-outs, resolve Design Rule Checking (DRC) issues, and support fabrication runs.
  • Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, packaging, and system engineers.
  • Test and characterize photonic devices.
  • Document designs and contribute to internal design reviews.

Education and Qualifications
  • Must be a US Citizen
  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check
  • MS in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics or related field, PhD preferred
  • Hands-on experience with silicon photonics design and layout.
  • Experience working with commercial foundry Process Design Kits (PDKs).
  • Experience with script-based layout workflows.
  • Familiarity with photonic simulation tools (Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD), Eigne Mode Expansion (EME), circuit-level modeling).
  • Experience with optical lab setups and photonic device testing.
  • Understanding of photonic design rules and tape-out processes.
  • Familiarity with silicon photonic packaging concepts and techniques (e.g., fiber attach, edge/grating couplers, alignment, thermal management, and co-packaging considerations) is a plus.
  • Exposure to RF or electronic-photonic co-design and packaging is a plus.
Why You'll Like Working Here
  • High-impact role: your designs go to silicon and get tested.
  • Small team with high trust and minimal bureaucracy.
  • Direct interaction with foundries and decision-makers.
  • Mix of design, coding, and hands-on lab work.

Psionic, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position requires access to export-controlled technology or software source code and the position is subject to U.S. export control laws.