Senior Photonics Design Engineer

Location: On-site (Full-Time)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Photonics Design Engineer to help build the next generation of far-UVC light engines for disinfection and sensing applications. In this role, you will lead the design and development of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) components and phase-matched nonlinear photonic systems operating in the UV and visible spectrum.

This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of photonics innovation, developing breakthrough technologies alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. We are looking for a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, takes ownership of projects, and thrives in a fast-paced R&D environment.

What You’ll Do

• Design, model, and optimize passive photonic devices for III-Nitride photonic integrated circuits, including waveguides, polarization rotators, Mach-Zehnder modulators, high-Q resonators, gratings, and couplers.
• Develop models for nonlinear optical frequency conversion and evaluate system-level photonic performance.
• Design and simulate electrical tuning mechanisms using electro-optic, thermo-optic, and acousto-optic effects.
• Research and evaluate novel materials to enhance nonlinear optical performance.
• Create scripted photonic layouts for fabrication, testing, and design tolerance studies.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate photonic device performance and analyze test results.
• Collaborate closely with fabrication and test engineering teams to refine device performance and manufacturability.
• Develop next-generation PIC architectures aligned with product development and R&D roadmaps.
• Contribute to hybrid and heterogeneous photonic integration strategies.
• Work with cross-functional teams, external partners, and consultants to define device architectures and meet performance objectives.
• Support invention disclosures, patents, and the development of novel photonic technologies.
• Foster a collaborative engineering culture focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 6+ years of industry experience in photonic component design, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), or nonlinear optics.
• Expertise in passive photonic device simulation using tools such as COMSOL, FDTD, EME, PhotonForge, RSoft, Synopsys, or similar.
• Experience modeling electrically tunable photonic devices.
• Experience creating scripted photonic layouts using GDSFactory, PHIDL, Cadence Virtuoso, or equivalent tools.
• Experience with free-space optical modeling using Zemax or similar software.
• Strong programming and data analysis skills using Python, MATLAB, R, Origin, JMP, or related tools.
• Experience integrating PICs with free-space optics, optical fibers, or packaged laser sources.
• Ability to automate design, simulation, and testing workflows.
• Knowledge of semiconductor laser physics and integrated photonic devices, including high-Q resonators and linewidth narrowing.
• Understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DfM), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Failure Analysis, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fiber optics in the visible spectrum.
• Experience with silicon photonics, thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), or other PIC platforms.
• Experience in startup or advanced R&D environments.
• Experience with III-Nitride photonics, blue laser diodes, or UV-emitting devices.
• Familiarity with RF electronics and laser instrumentation.
• Demonstrated success working within interdisciplinary engineering teams.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a team developing cutting-edge photonic technologies with real-world impact in disinfection, sensing, and advanced optical systems. This role offers the opportunity to solve challenging engineering problems, influence product architecture, and help bring breakthrough photonic innovations from concept to commercialization.

If you’re passionate about photonic integrated circuits, nonlinear optics, and building technologies that make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

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

Nozipho Mbatha