Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer . We have several open positions with different seniority levels and focus, including passive optical component design, active ...
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer . We have several open positions with different seniority levels and focus, including passive optical component design, active ...
Description Apple is looking for a Photonics Design Engineer to work on the development of novel integrated photonic devices that will enable breakthrough sensing applications in Apple products. You ...
Description Apple is looking for a Photonics Design Engineer to work on the development of novel integrated photonic devices that will enable breakthrough sensing applications in Apple products. You ...
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SMTS Silicon Photonics Device Characterization Engineer
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Quick apply
Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, CPO PDK
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$150K - $225K/yr
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer at Senior or Staff levelto lead process design kit (PDK) development for HyperLight's co-packaged optics product line.This ...
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Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer . We have several open positions with different seniority levels and focus, including passive optical component design, active ...
Quick apply
Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, Device Components
Cambridge, MA · On-site
$120K - $225K/yr
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer . We have several open positions with different seniority levels and focus, including passive optical component design, active ...
Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, Device Components
Cambridge, MA · On-site
$120K - $225K/yr
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer . We have several open positions with different seniority levels and focus, including passive optical component design, active ...
Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, Device Components
Cambridge, MA · On-site
$120K - $225K/yr
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer . We have several open positions with different seniority levels and focus, including passive optical component design, active ...
Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, CPO PDK
$150K - $225K/yr
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer at Senior or Staff levelto lead process design kit (PDK) development for HyperLight's co-packaged optics product line.This ...
Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, CPO PDK
$150K - $225K/yr
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer at Senior or Staff levelto lead process design kit (PDK) development for HyperLight's co-packaged optics product line.This ...
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Senior Integrated Photonics Engineer - Active Devices and Circuits
Palo Alto, CA · On-site
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Senior Integrated Photonics Engineer - Active Devices and Circuits
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Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, CPO PDK
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$150K - $225K/yr
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer at Senior or Staff levelto lead process design kit (PDK) development for HyperLight's co-packaged optics product line.This ...
Integrated Photonics Design Engineer, CPO PDK
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Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer at Senior or Staff levelto lead process design kit (PDK) development for HyperLight's co-packaged optics product line.This ...
Description Apple is looking for a Photonics Design Engineer to work on the development of novel integrated photonic devices that will enable breakthrough sensing applications in Apple products. You ...
Description Apple is looking for a Photonics Design Engineer to work on the development of novel integrated photonic devices that will enable breakthrough sensing applications in Apple products. You ...
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Bozeman, MT · On-site
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2026 Graduate - Optics & Photonics Engineer/Scientist
Laurel, MD · On-site
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Photonics Engineer information
See salary details
$44K - $55.8K
2% of jobs
$55.8K - $67.5K
16% of jobs
$75.5K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$67.5K - $79.3K
11% of jobs
$79.3K - $91.1K
20% of jobs
The median wage is $93.6K / yr.
$91.1K - $102.9K
7% of jobs
$102.9K - $114.6K
2% of jobs
$114.6K - $126.4K
1% of jobs
$132.8K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$126.4K - $138.2K
29% of jobs
$138.2K - $150K
3% of jobs
$150K - $161.7K
4% of jobs
$161.7K - $173.5K
4% of jobs
$44K
$106.4K
$173.5K
How much do photonics engineer jobs pay per year?
What Is a Photonics Engineer?
As a photonics engineer, you work with photo energy and technology to create new products and improve existing goods, such as barcode scanners, lasers, and fiber optics. Research and development are your primary responsibilities, but your other job duties include creating design plans for product innovations, testing and revising prototypes, determining solutions for existing issues, and seeking cost-effective alternatives for current technology. You need strong scientific and mathematical reasoning along with computer skills to perform well as a photonics engineer.
What does a Photonics Engineer do?
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Photonics Engineer, and why are they important?
What engineers make $300,000 a year?
What engineers make $500,000?
What are some typical collaborative projects a Photonics Engineer might work on within a multidisciplinary team?
What is the difference between Photonics Engineer vs Optical Engineer?
| Aspect | Photonics Engineer | Optical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields; certifications in photonics are a plus | Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields; similar certifications |
| Work Environment | Research labs, manufacturing facilities, tech companies focusing on laser, fiber optics, and photonic devices | Research labs, manufacturing, telecommunications, and defense sectors working with optical systems |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Companies developing laser systems, fiber optics, photonic sensors, and integrated photonic circuits | Organizations involved in optical communication, imaging systems, and optical component design |
Photonics Engineers and Optical Engineers share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, often collaborating on optical systems. However, Photonics Engineers typically focus more on the development and application of photonic devices and systems, while Optical Engineers may concentrate more on optical system design and integration. Both roles are vital in industries like telecommunications, defense, and research.
What engineers make $200,000 a year?
What does a photonic engineer do?

$120K - $225K/yr
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement
Posted 19 days ago
Job description
HyperLight is at the forefront of the commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics - a material and process technology that is enabling high-performance, scalable optical components across AI/datacom infrastructure, hyperscale computing, quantum computing, sensing, and beyond. Founded in 2018 and backed by leading venture capital, we've built a team and a platform focused on real-world mass deployment of TFLN photonics technology.
At the core of our work is the TFLN Chiplet platform - a modular, integrated architecture designed for scalability, manufacturability, and seamless integration into complex systems. It offers a rare combination of extraordinary performance and industrial readiness, enabling system developers across applications to deploy the technology fast and ready. We partner with our customers and suppliers from conceptualization, design, and prototyping phases, all the way through mass production to ensure smooth and rapid deployment of TFLN photonic technology.
We believe our platform is the key, in the golden age of integrated photonics, to empower humanity to the next level. We assembled a world class team covering engineering, business, and operations. We believe in the power of integrity, innovation, collaboration, and pragmatic solutions. Our diverse team thrives on challenges and is united by a shared commitment to excellence. We take pride in tackling complex challenges with curiosity, humility, and a deep sense of care for one another.
Our growing team is looking for an Integrated Photonics Design Engineer. We have several open positions with different seniority levels and focus, including passive optical component design, active component and modulator design, and product design. As part of your responsibilities, you will:
      Collaborate with product teams and customers to define requirements for device components.
      Own the end-to-end design and delivery of high-performance, robust device components such as fiber couplers, optical taps, optical crossings, thermo-optic phase shifters, photodiodes, and high speed electro-optic modulators.
      Simulate component designs using FEA tools like Lumerical, Tidy3D, HFSS, CST, and COMSOL.
      Develop and perform rigorous measurement techniques to assess component performance.
      Analyze measurement and simulation data for performance and robustness.
      Collaborate to improve our fabrication processes for optimal device performance.
      Serve as a technical expert within HyperLight to guide our engineering decisions and technical roadmap.
Requirements
- Either 5+ years of relevant work experience or equivalent experience through an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- Strong expertise with passive and/or active photonic device component design, including hands-on development of multiple successful designs.
- Strong expertise in finite element analysis of PIC components using tools like Lumerical, Tidy3D, COMSOL, Synopsys OptoDesigner, etc.
- Extensive hands-on experience performing measurements to characterize photonic integrated circuits using instruments like swept lasers, fiber alignment stages, VNAs, BERTs, oscilloscopes, etc.
- Extensive experience with data analysis and statistical methods such as design of experiments using tools like JMP or Python.
- Demonstrated record of innovation and achievement, e.g. product designs, publications, or patents.
- Familiarity with the entire photonic integrated circuit engineering process, including simulation, layout, fabrication, test, and device operation.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Comfortable working with cross-disciplinary teams
Benefits
- Competitive market-based compensation (Salary range $120,000 - $225,000)
- Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, vision, and dental plans for individuals and families
- 401(k) retirement plans with employee matching
- Paid Parental Leave
- Life and disability insurance
- Commuter benefits and subsidies
- Professional growth and mentorship opportunities
This role is in-person at HyperLight's office in Cambridge, MA. Authorization to work in the US is required.
HyperLight is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. HyperLight is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during our hiring process. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact us at HR@hyperlightcorp.com.
About HyperLight
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing
Company size
1 - 10 Employees
Headquarters location
Cambridge, MA, US
Year founded
2018