Photonics & Optics Sr. Staff Engineer

Seagate Technology•Shakopee, MN

6d•$147,035 - $214,316•Onsite

About The Position

Seagate Research develops next-generation photonics technologies for future storage, sensing, and physical-intelligence platforms. The team conducts advanced research across photonic devices, integrated photonics, optical systems, precision sensing, optical interconnects, and emerging technology concepts, collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and external research partners to mature concepts into technologies for future Seagate products and platforms. The Photonics & Optics Sr. Staff Engineer designs, develops, optimizes, and characterizes photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and optical subsystems. The role spans photonic modeling, simulation, layout, verification, and performance trade-off analysis; free-space and fiber-based optical experiments; and leadership of laboratory activities such as optical alignment, laser-based measurements, noise analysis, environmental testing, and system characterization. The engineer investigates advanced materials, device architectures, and photonic platforms; works across technical teams and with external partners; and drives technology from exploratory research through prototypes and scalable implementation. The role also supports intellectual property creation and provides technical leadership and mentorship across multiple programs. The position is based at Seagate’s Shakopee campus in Minnesota. Travel is up to 10%.

Requirements

Experience with PIC design, optical modeling, simulation, and verification.
Hands-on laboratory experience with lasers, detectors, instrumentation, optical test systems, and data analysis.
Demonstrated ability to move technologies from concept through validated prototypes.
Experience presenting technical results to senior leadership, peers, and external partners.
Strong understanding of optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical interactions within complex systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline and 12+ years of experience; or a master’s degree in the same fields and 8+ years of experience; or a PhD and 5+ years of experience; or equivalent experience and education.
Passion for solving complex technical challenges using first-principles engineering and experimentation.
Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross-functional technical teams.
Hands-on technical leadership that balances innovation with execution.
Curiosity, collaboration, and comfort working in ambiguous research environments.
Commitment to continuous learning and mentoring others.

Nice To Haves

Experience with silicon photonics, silicon nitride, III-V photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, or heterogeneous integration.
Experience using Lumerical, Ansys, COMSOL, RSoft, Zemax, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent tools.
Knowledge of optical packaging, fiber coupling, reliability, and manufacturing considerations.
Experience working with semiconductor foundries and photonics fabrication partners.
Experience in sensing, optical communications, photonic computing, optical storage, or quantum-related technologies.
Record of patents, publications, or significant technical contributions.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, optimize, and characterize photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and optical subsystems.
Perform photonic modeling, simulation, layout, verification, and performance trade-off analysis.
Develop free-space and fiber-based optical experiments for proof-of-concept demonstrations and technology validation.
Lead laboratory activities, including optical alignment, laser-based measurements, noise analysis, environmental testing, and system characterization.
Investigate advanced materials, novel device architectures, and emerging photonic platforms.
Collaborate with electronics, firmware, controls, packaging, manufacturing, and reliability teams.
Define experiments, analyze data, communicate results, and drive technical decision-making.
Work with foundries, suppliers, universities, and strategic partners to evaluate new technologies.
Support intellectual property creation through invention disclosures, patent filings, and technical publications.
Drive technology maturation from exploratory research through prototype development and scalable implementation.
Mentor engineers and researchers while providing technical leadership across multiple programs.