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Photonics Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Devyantram

Lead Photonics Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Key Responsibilities Photonics Engineering • Design and simulate photonic circuits, waveguides, resonators, and interferometers. • Develop optical interconnects and signal-routing subsystems. • ...

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Photonics information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$28.4K

$58.6K

$62.5K

How much do photonics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for photonics in Silver Spring, MD is $58,639.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,000.00 and $61,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a photonics engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Photonics Engineer, you need a strong background in optics, physics, and engineering principles, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field. Familiarity with simulation software (like COMSOL or Zemax), laser systems, and fiber optics, as well as relevant certifications, are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set top professionals apart in this role. These skills ensure the successful design, testing, and implementation of photonic devices and systems critical to industries like telecommunications and healthcare.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in photonics, and how can they be addressed?

Photonics professionals often encounter challenges such as staying up-to-date with rapidly evolving technologies, managing complex interdisciplinary projects, and working with precise, sensitive equipment. Collaboration with experts in electronics, software, and materials science is typically essential to solve technical problems and innovate effectively. Developing strong communication skills and keeping abreast of industry trends through continuous learning can help individuals navigate these challenges and advance their careers.

Is photonics a good career?

Photonics is a growing field that involves the study and application of light technologies, including lasers, optical fibers, and imaging systems. Careers in photonics often require a background in physics, engineering, or related fields, and can offer opportunities in industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, and defense. The field typically offers competitive salaries and demand for skilled professionals with specialized technical knowledge.

What can you do with photonics?

Photonics professionals work with the generation, manipulation, and detection of light using tools like lasers, optical fibers, and photonic devices. They develop technologies for telecommunications, medical imaging, laser manufacturing, and sensor systems, often requiring knowledge of optics, electronics, and materials science.

What are popular job titles related to Photonics jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

For Photonics jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Photonics jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Photonics jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Photonics jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Photonics job openings:

Photonics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Photonics job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,639 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Lead Photonics System Engineer

JABIL CIRCUIT, INC

Washington, DC • On-site

$105K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Jabil rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 117 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

98th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Job Posting Title:    Lead Photonics System Engineer

Jabil is seeking a Lead Photonics System Engineer focused on enabling design and manufacturing services for cutting edge Co-Packaged-Optics (CPO) systems, which present new challenges with the integration density of photonic elements at the box and rack level at the EMS environment.
This position engages with leading edge technology companies. You will help transform photonics as an industry, while contributing to the rapid transformative growth within the Intelligent Infrastructure business unit. Lead photonics systems engineers in this team have responsibility for a diverse array of functions, all rooted on their deep technical understanding of photonic communication links, components, and wireline systems.

The job scope includes establishing product engineering expertise for photonic systems both in the central engineering organization as well as the manufacturing sites, early client engagement to understand the requirements and potential manufacturing yield risks, designing test and debug strategy, and providing optical system design services as part of Jabil’s design services capabilities.
Note: This is NOT a lab position. This is NOT research & development. This is production scale photonics manufacturing in a hyperscale environment. You are a leader within a global manufacturing team applying photonics technology to the manufacturing of server and racks for datacenters.
Please note that this position requires more than 50% travel. You can be located anywhere in the USA for this position as a result.

What will you do? -  

  • Provide product subject matter expertise to support manufacturing line bringup and NPI activities for CPO systems in Jabil’s factories, in particular focusing on process design, yield analysis, and root-causing of failure modes to drive yield improvement.

  • Develop test strategy, quality control gates, and rework flows with the test engineering and industrial engineering teams to establish process control, early fault detection, and effective rework flows.

  • Define yield, throughput, and parametric-data dashboards (as well as automated data analysis) for implementation with the work cell and data engineering teams to allow SPC implementation and drive systematic yield improvement processes.

  • Participate in client interactions to funnel in specs, requirements required for system CPO system design.

  • Support product design phase with DFM and FMEA guidance.

  • Train and provide technical guidance to factory product engineers through manufacturing NPI and volume ramp phases.

  • Maintain an ongoing engagement with the factory operations and engineering teams to continuously drive process and yield improvements, provide engineering support as required for tackling manufacturing issues.

  • Keep abreast of new technologies pertaining to the co-packaged-optics systems with a focus on photonics packaging, fiber-optic connectivity, test and metrology methods and equipment.

  • Evaluate and qualify new offerings in area of fiber-optic connectivity (such as blind-mate connectors, shuffle cables, various supporting tooling) to support design activities as well as tool adoption on factory floor.

  • Keep abreast of new technologies pertaining to the co-packaged-optics systems with a focus on photonics packaging, fiber-optic connectivity, test and metrology methods and equipment.

  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

How will you get here? – 

Education: 

  • Relevant 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics or a similar field is required

Experience: 

  • 6+ years of photonics communication system (optical engine / transceiver / switch box / networking rack) development or product engineering in the datacom / telecom industry is required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:  

  • Possesses deep expertise in photonics and optical communication links, associated component / module specs and test methods in R&D and manufacturing for defect detection.

  • Manufacturing experience.

  • This is NOT a lab position. This is NOT research & development. This is production scale photonics manufacturing in a hyperscale environment.

  • 6+ years of photonics communication system (optical engine / transceiver / switch box / networking rack) development or product engineering in the datacom / telecom industry is required

  • Capable of hands-on setting up of DC/RF electro-optical testbenches, including basic test automation coding in Python or similar.

  • Highly detail oriented, highly organized & methodical thinker.

  • Able to tackle engineering challenges and devise structured R&D programs for process development.

  • Independent, action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and with high sense of product ownership.

  • Able to travel up to 70% both domestically and internationally

  • Advantage to experience working with manufacturing partners / in-house manufacturing of optical communication systems

  • Advantage to product-engineering experience in NPI and volume manufacturing ramp phases of optical communication components / modules / systems.

  • Strong preference to advanced degrees in electrical engineering or applied physics

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About Jabil

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Jabil is a manufacturing solutions provider with over 260,000 employees across 100 locations in 30 countries. The world's leading brands rely on Jabil's unmatched breadth and depth of end-market experience, technical and design capabilities, manufacturing know-how, supply chain insights and global product management expertise. Driven by a common purpose, Jabil and its people are committed to making a positive impact on their local community and the environment.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Petersburg, FL, US

Year founded

1966

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