Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Design Engineer

About the Company

An innovative semiconductor design company specialising in advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for optical communications, leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonics technology.

The business focuses on developing high-performance, application-specific photonic and electronic solutions designed to enable faster, more efficient data transmission.

This is an opportunity to join a growing engineering team working on next-generation integrated photonics technologies within a collaborative, fast-paced and innovation-driven environment. Team members are encouraged to take ownership, contribute across multiple areas of development and help solve complex engineering challenges.

Role Description

We are seeking a motivated Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Design Engineer to join a growing engineering team.

Reporting directly to the VP of Engineering, this role will focus on the design, simulation, testing and analysis of high-performance photonic integrated circuits for next-generation, ultra-high-speed optical communication systems.

This position is suited to a hands-on engineer with a strong theoretical foundation in photonics and electromagnetic theory, who is looking to contribute to the development of advanced PIC technologies in a dynamic engineering environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimise high-performance photonic integrated circuits for optical communications.

• Perform electromagnetic and photonic simulations to evaluate and refine PIC designs.

• Develop and execute laboratory test plans to characterise PIC performance.

• Analyse experimental data and correlate measured results with simulation outcomes.

• Collaborate with fabrication partners and internal engineering teams to iterate and improve designs.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of PIC design, simulation and testing methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, Physics or a closely related technical discipline.

• Strong theoretical understanding of electromagnetic wave theory.

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience designing photonic integrated circuits.

• Hands-on experience testing and characterising PICs within a laboratory environment.

• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

• Programming experience with one or more of the following: MATLAB, Python, C/C++.

• Familiarity with version control systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with semiconductor fabrication processes.

• Previous experience designing silicon photonics PICs.

• Strong understanding of optical communication systems.

• Knowledge of intensity-modulated direct-detect (IM-DD) and coherent optical communication systems.

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively.

• Previous industry experience and involvement in technology product development.

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

Oliver Logan