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Principal Engineer Photonics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

QCi

Senior Principal Engineer, Photonics Design Location: Hoboken, NJ/Cranbury, NJ Division: Technology Department: PIC Engineering Reports to: Senior Director, PIC Engineering About Us Quantum Computing ...

Ayar Labs

Principal Engineer, Reliability

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $151K/yr

Principal Engineer, Reliability Location: San Jose, CA Job Id: 695 # of Openings: 0 Principal ... Collaborate with photonics design, analog/mixed-signal IC design, and layout teams to implement ...

Ayar Labs

Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design

San Jose, CA · On-site

$180K - $240K/yr

Sr. Staff Engineer, Photonics Design Location: San Jose (on-site) Ayar Labs is shattering AI data ... Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for ...

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How much do principal engineer photonics jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer photonics in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Infographic showing various Principal Engineer Photonics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Senior/Principal Engineer, Photonics Design

Hoboken, NJ • On-site

QCi
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about QCiexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Senior Principal Engineer, Photonics Design
Location: Hoboken, NJ/Cranbury, NJ
Division: Technology
Department: PIC Engineering
Reports to: Senior Director, PIC Engineering
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
We are seeking an experienced Senior/Principal Engineer to lead the design, integration, and development of photonic integrated circuits with integrated laser sources. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in semiconductor laser physics, photonic device design, process integration, and system-level modeling. This role requires a hands-on leader capable of driving projects from concept through fabrication, testing, and qualification, with a strong focus on innovation and performance optimization for next-generation photonic systems.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead the design and modeling of integrated photonic circuits incorporating lasers, modulators, amplifiers, and passive components.
  • Develop and optimize epitaxial structures for laser integration on photonic platforms (e.g., Thin-film lithium niobate, Si photonics).
  • Perform optical and electrical modeling using tools such as Lumerical, COMSOL, FDTD, and Matlab/Python codes.
  • Drive process integration efforts including mask design, fabrication flow development, and collaboration with foundry partners.
  • Conduct device characterization, performance analysis, and reliability testing to meet product specifications.
  • Provide technical leadership in cross-functional teams including epitaxy, process engineering, testing, and reliability.
  • Support product qualification efforts including wafer acceptance testing, reliability modeling, and failure analysis.
  • Stay current with emerging technologies and contribute to intellectual property and technical roadmap development.
Required Skills and Experience
  • Ph.D. in Optics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of industrial experience in semiconductor laser design, fabrication, and testing.
  • Strong background in photonic device modeling (FDTD, FDFD, PWEM, TMM, FEM).
  • Proficiency with photonic design and simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, Sentaurus, etc.).
  • Experience with III-V semiconductor processes including lithography, etching, deposition, and characterization.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor junior engineers.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with photonic crystal lasers (PCSEL), VCSELs, DFB, EML, or SOA devices.
  • Knowledge of integrated photonic platforms (Si photonics, InP, heterogeneous integration).
  • Proficiency in programming for data analysis and automation (Python, Matlab, SQL, VBA).
  • Experience with reliability testing, wear-out modeling, and qualification for high-volume production.
  • Familiarity with mask design tools (KLayout, L-Edit) and process integration for photonics.
  • Track record of innovation through patents, publications, or product development.
  • Experience working in a cross-cultural, multi-site R&D environment.

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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