Mavericks Photonics

About Mavericks

At Mavericks Photonics, a Stanford spin-off, we believe the future of integrated sensor technologies is all-optical. We are building photonic integrated inertial and perception sensors to target assured navigation and situational awareness in GPS-denied and remote environments. Current chip-scale electronic systems lack the precision and stability needed for extended autonomous missions or external-source localization, and high-performance alternatives are too heavy and expensive for large-scale deployment. Our chip-scale interferometric structures overcome the intrinsic noise limitations of traditional systems and have demonstrated record-setting resolution in acceleration and acoustic sensing. We are shrinking bulky, lab-grade instruments into matchbox-sized photonic systems for intelligent platforms to autonomously navigate and sense the world's most demanding environments.

Role Overview

As our founding Photonic Design Scientist, you will architect the chips powering our record-setting sensors. This is a fast-paced, full-stack hardware role where you will lead the lifecycle of the photonic-integrated chips, from initial modeling and simulation to tape-outs at university cleanrooms and commercial foundries.

You will work with the founding team to validate your designs numerically and experimentally under real-world conditions at our San Francisco headquarters. We are looking for a knowledgeable, creative, and driven scientist to develop the technical roadmap from chip design through to field-deployable hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Device simulation & modeling: Lead the design and simulation of the core components of the photonic chips.
• Tolerance analysis: Model fabrication tolerances and environmental impacts on device performance.
• Tape-out & fabrication: Convert models into layouts and develop fabrication recipes.
• Experimental validation: Rigorously characterize, debug, and qualify your fabricated designs.
• Documentation & communication: Document the roadmap from design to deployment and present your work internally and to external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• MS or PhD in Applied Physics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in FDTD & FEA simulation tools such as Lumerical, Tidy3D, RSoft, COMSOL.
• Experience building optical setups, collecting data, and qualifying your designs.
• Strong teamwork, communication & presentation skills (both oral and written).

Preferred

• Hands-on knowledge of nano-fabrication processes and layout programming tools.
• Knowledgeable in interferometric concepts (impact of source, optics, detectors, and electronics on performance).
• Experience with photonic chip packaging and integration of active components.

Compensation, Benefits & Restrictions

• Equity: 0.5-1.25% stock option grant (fully diluted), with additional milestone-based grants.
• Pay: $100k-$150k, benchmarked to experience.
• Health Coverage: Coverage for medical, dental & vision.
• Time-off: Unlimited/Flexible PTO (15 days encouraged).
• ITAR Compliance: Must meet ITAR "U.S. person" eligibility.