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Photonics Applications Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

QCi

Applications Engineer- Photonics

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

Applications Engineer, Photonics About Us Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) (Nasdaq: QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the ...

QCi

Applications Engineer, Photonics About Us Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) (Nasdaq: QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the ...

Hamamatsu Corporation

Applications Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

Applications Engineer The photon is our business! Explore the many ways that the world can use the ... Hamamatsu Photonics is one of the world's largest suppliers of advanced light detectors, light ...

Sivers Semiconductors UK

NY · On-site

Applications Engineer - mmWave Beamformer ICs and Arrays Location: India, Sweden and the United ... Our business units, Photonics and Wireless, supply cutting-edge, integrated chips and modules ...

ADP, Inc.

Senior Applications Engineer

Wilmington, MA · On-site

$135K - $160K/yr

... Applications Engineer will serve as Energetiq's technical authority on customer applications ... Develop a deep understanding of customer measurement challenges across semiconductor, photonics ...

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Photonics Applications Engineer information

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$50.5K

$110.7K

$152K

How much do photonics applications engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for photonics applications engineer in the United States is $110,698.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Photonics Applications Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectPhotonics Applications EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in optics, photonics, or related fields; technical certificationsBachelor's or Master's in optical engineering, physics, or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentCustomer-facing, technical support, product developmentDesign, testing, and development of optical systems in labs or manufacturing
Industry UsageElectronics, telecommunications, defense, medical devicesOptical systems design, laser development, imaging systems

Photonics Applications Engineers focus on applying photonics technology to customer needs, providing technical support and solutions. Optical Engineers primarily design and develop optical systems and components. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in related industries, their daily tasks and focus areas differ, with applications engineers more customer and support-oriented, and optical engineers more design and development-focused.

Are photonics applications engineers in demand?

Photonics applications engineers are in demand due to the growing use of optical technologies in telecommunications, medical devices, and manufacturing. They typically require strong technical skills, knowledge of laser systems, and experience with optical design software, making them valuable in industries investing in photonics innovation.

How much do photonics applications engineers make?

Photonics applications engineers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $110,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in optical systems or laser technology can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000 annually.

What are popular job titles related to Photonics Applications Engineer jobs?

For Photonics Applications Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Photonics Applications Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,698 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Applications Engineer- Photonics

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

QCi
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about QCiexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Applications Engineer, Photonics
About Us
Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) (Nasdaq: 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 power at an affordable cost. The Company's portfolio of core technology and products offer unique capabilities in the areas of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cyber security as well as remote sensing applications.
Position Description
QCi is seeking a high-caliber Applications Engineer to support our Photonics Division. This role combines laboratory development with high-impact field engagement. You will spend approximately 70% of your time at our Santa Barbara facility, split between the lab-developing proof-of-concept demonstrations-and the office, providing technical support to new and existing customers. The remaining 30% of your time will involve domestic travel to customer sites and trade shows to showcase our technology and secure critical design wins. The ideal candidate possesses a sophisticated balance of technical expertise in photonic principles, hands-on hardware/software integration skills, and the professional soft skills necessary to cultivate long-term customer relationships and brand trust.
Duties and Responsibilities
Application Identification and Demonstration
  • Market Growth: Identify and pursue high-value applications and programs in lasers, photonic devices, and optical sensing systems.
  • Consultative Discovery: Extract and synthesize technical requirements from potential customers to provide tailored guidance on QCi-based photonic solutions.
  • Systems Engineering: Design, construct, and characterize hardware testbeds and system-level demonstrations that mirror real-world customer environments.
  • Benchmarking: Quantify and document the performance advantages of QCi photonics products against incumbent technologies.
  • Technical Content: Author high-quality application notes, whitepapers, and technical documentation to educate the market on specific use cases.
  • Thought Leadership: Present validated application results to internal peers, customers, and the broader scientific community through industry publications.
  • Trend Analysis: Research emerging technology sectors to identify "blue ocean" opportunities for QCi hardware insertion.

Sales and Customer Support
  • Technical Liaison: Serve as the primary technical resource for sales staff regarding product specifications, performance limits, and usage.
  • Strategic Engagement: Join sales leadership in high-stakes customer meetings to provide deep technical credibility.
  • Deployment Support: Provide expert on-site assistance for customer bring-up, system implementation, and complex troubleshooting.
  • Collaborative Design: Lead technical brainstorming sessions with customers to map QCi capabilities to their unique mission requirements.
  • Feedback Loop: Maintain an active bug tracker and feature request list, coordinating with the Engineering team to prioritize fixes and future product enhancement

Required Skills and Experience
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related technical discipline.
  • Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in photonics, semiconductor lasers, optoelectronics, or optical sensing hardware.
  • Proven Track Record: Demonstrated ability to secure design wins within complex technical sales cycles.
  • Technical Depth: Strong fluency in semiconductor laser physics and integrated photonic components.
  • Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence technical stakeholders and executives alike.
  • Autonomy: A self-starter capable of driving projects independently while maintaining seamless integration with the broader team.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above. Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

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