Senior PIC Designer – High-Speed Modulators

You’ve designed high-speed modulators before. Now’s your chance to push the limits of bandwidth, efficiency, and integration for next-generation optical communications.

This role is all about shaping the future of integrated photonics. You’ll explore novel modulator architectures, experiment with advanced material systems, and lead designs from the lab bench to high-volume production. Your work will power ultra-fast data centers, AI-enabled networks, and the backbone of tomorrow’s optical infrastructure.

Why this role is unique

• Innovate on a proven, high-volume PIC platform rather than starting from scratch
• Influence design roadmaps within a highly skilled, multicultural R&D team
• Combine theoretical design, simulation, and hands-on validation with cross-disciplinary collaboration

What you’ll be doing

• Conceive, design, and evaluate advanced high-speed modulators (Mach-Zehnder, micro-ring, and next-gen architectures)
• Integrate new material systems into PIC fabrication to achieve 400G+ performance
• Model opto-electronic devices and RF interconnects to optimize speed, energy efficiency, and manufacturability
• Collaborate with process engineers to refine fabrication steps and ensure design scalability
• Lead design validation: define test plans, analyze experimental data, and iterate on device concepts
• Partner with module, test, and system teams to meet real-world performance targets

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in high-speed silicon photonics or III-V modulator design and testing
• PhD with 3+ years’ industry experience, or MSc with 6+ years in photonics, EE, or physics
• Hands-on proficiency with photonic and RF simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, HFSS, CST, ADS)
• Experience with layout tools (Tanner L-Edit, Luceda IPKISS) and scripting (Python, Linux)
• Excellent communication skills with a collaborative, problem-solving mindset

What’s in it for you

• Work at the cutting edge of photonics innovation, from concept to deployment
• Join a team that values creativity, technical excellence, and initiative
• Competitive package, career growth, and the opportunity to drive solutions for the world’s fastest optical networks

If you’re ready to lead the next leap in high-speed modulators, send your CV or get in touch to find out more.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Nozipho Mbatha