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Photonics Simulation Consultant information

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$39K

$123.4K

$190.5K

How much do photonics simulation consultant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for photonics simulation consultant in the United States is $123,399.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,000.00 and $146,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a photonics simulation consultant do?

A Photonics Simulation Consultant specializes in modeling, analyzing, and optimizing photonic devices and systems using advanced simulation software. They help organizations design optical components—such as lasers, waveguides, and sensors—by predicting their performance in various environments. Their expertise enables companies to reduce prototyping costs, accelerate innovation, and ensure product reliability. Consultants often work across industries like telecommunications, healthcare, and manufacturing, collaborating with engineers and researchers to solve complex photonics challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a photonics simulation consultant?

To thrive as a Photonics Simulation Consultant, you need a solid background in physics or engineering, expertise in photonics, and experience with numerical modeling, often supported by a relevant degree (such as MSc or PhD). Proficiency with simulation tools like Lumerical, COMSOL Multiphysics, or CST Studio Suite, and familiarity with scripting languages like Python or MATLAB, are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills help in translating client needs into robust technical solutions. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate simulations, supporting innovative photonics designs, and ensuring effective collaboration with diverse clients and teams.

What are some common challenges faced by photonics simulation consultants when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams?

Photonics Simulation Consultants often work alongside engineers, physicists, and software developers, which can present challenges in communicating complex simulation results to non-specialists. Bridging the knowledge gap and ensuring that simulation data informs practical design decisions requires clear communication and adaptability. Additionally, aligning simulation parameters with real-world manufacturing constraints is a frequent hurdle. Successfully addressing these challenges not only ensures project success but also helps build strong, collaborative relationships across disciplines.

What is the difference between Photonics Simulation Consultant vs Photonics Design Engineer?

AspectPhotonics Simulation ConsultantPhotonics Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in optics, photonics, or related fields; proficiency in simulation softwareBachelor's or Master's in electrical engineering, optics, or photonics; strong design and testing skills
Work EnvironmentConsulting firms, R&D labs, project-based settingsProduct development teams, manufacturing companies, R&D labs
Industry UsageUsed for analyzing and optimizing photonics systems through simulationsInvolved in designing, prototyping, and testing photonics devices and systems

While both roles require expertise in photonics and related software, Photonics Simulation Consultants focus on analyzing and optimizing systems through simulations, often working in consulting or research environments. Photonics Design Engineers are more involved in creating and testing physical photonics devices, working within product development teams. Both roles are essential in the photonics industry but differ in their primary focus and daily tasks.

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Photonics Simulation Consultant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Photonics Simulation Consultant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,399 per year, or $59.3 per hour.

Application & Support Engineer, Photonics Engineer

Phoenix Analysis And Design Technologies

Tempe, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Summary:
The Photonics Engineer provides technical expertise, primarily in Ansys photonics and optical simulation tools, to support PADT's customers while also assisting PADT's Ansys sales team through strategic pre-sales and technical scoping activities, utilizing engineering knowledge, simulation experience, problem solving, enthusiasm, written and verbal communication, and eagerness to learn. Experience with photonics and optics simulation software is required, with preferences for tools such as Ansys Lumerical, Zemax, or similar industry-standard software.
The Photonics Engineer is responsible for helping customers solve complex photonics engineering problems using Ansys software products. The position involves working closely with customers and internal teams in a consultative and supportive technical role, including simulation, model setup, analysis, and interpretation of results for photonic devices and systems such as lasers, waveguides, gratings, photonic integrated circuits, CMOS sensors, and resonators. The ability to research technical issues, learn new methods, and find practical solutions for a wide variety of customer challenges is paramount.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Work with potential and current customers to scope optics/photonics simulation solutions and identify opportunities that match PADT and Ansys products to their design needs.
  • Collaborate with account managers to technically drive new optics/photonics opportunities, support ongoing accounts, and contribute to formal sales proposals.
  • Provide, track, and document technical support for optics and photonics customers, including answering questions on software utilization, identifying workarounds, and developing a working understanding of their workflows to drive tool adoption and escalate when appropriate.
  • Develop and deliver technical training courses, product demonstrations, and presentations focused on optics and photonics use cases such as lasers, PICs, waveguides, sensors, and resonators.
  • Create technical collateral including application notes, tutorials, blog posts, and webinars to support customer engagement and technical adoption.
  • Perform benchmarking and proof-of-concept studies with Ansys tools, reporting relevant performance and accuracy metrics.
  • Maintain a working understanding of Ansys optics, photonics, and related multiphysics offerings and how they fit into customer workflows.
  • Participate in ongoing training to expand Ansys skill areas and share optics and photonics expertise with colleagues.

Requirements
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor of Science in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
  • Strong theoretical understanding of photonics, such as electromagnetics, wave propagation, and light-matter interaction.
  • Minimum of one year of experience with optics and/or photonics simulation tools (e.g., Ansys Lumerical, Zemax, CODE V, or similar).
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and in diverse team environments.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop practical engineering solutions for challenging optics and photonics problems.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
  • Familiarity with scripting or programming (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for workflow automation and data processing.
  • Availability for occasional travel (approximately 25-30%).

Preferred Education/Experience
  • 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Experience using photonics simulation for one or more of: lasers, photonic integrated circuits, fiber-optic systems, or optical sensors.
  • Familiarity with Linux operating systems.
  • Laboratory experience with optical characterization, measurement, or alignment.
  • Experience with additional Ansys products or multiphysics workflows that couple optics/photonics with thermal, structural, or electrical behavior.
  • Familiarity with version control and basic software development or data analysis practices for simulation post-processing.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, for applicants who are not asylees, refugees, lawful permanent residents or U.S. Citizens (i.e., not a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), otherwise known as a U.S. Person), final offers will be contingent on the ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government.

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