Photonics Layout Engineer (Remote)
About The Position
Voyant Photonics is hiring a Photonics Layout Engineer to develop silicon photonic integrated circuit (PIC) layouts for optical circuit switching in AI data centers and chip-scale FMCW LiDAR for robotics and autonomy. The role owns PIC layouts from initial floorplanning through tapeout, working on dense waveguide routing, multilayer photonic layouts, and die- and reticle-level floorplanning for chips integrating hundreds to thousands of optical components. The position also involves developing automated layout methodologies and collaborating with photonic designers and other engineering teams in a fast-paced startup environment. The work is primarily in person at Voyant’s Midtown Manhattan lab and office, despite the remote designation in the job title. Voyant describes a high-trust, high-accountability environment with flexible scheduling rather than a rigid 9-to-5. Because the company works with customers across time zones, some calls may start early or run late, with schedules adjusted accordingly. The company provides catered lunch daily at headquarters.
Requirements
- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
- At least 2 years of experience in photonic integrated circuit layout, preferably in silicon photonics or a similar platform.
- Proficiency with photonic layout tools such as GDSFactory, IPKISS, KLayout, or equivalent.
- Strong Python scripting skills, including experience with layout automation or parameterized designs.
- Experience with photonic waveguide routing, component placement, and chip-level layout integration.
- Familiarity with silicon photonics foundry PDKs, design rules, and tapeout processes.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with large-scale PIC layout, optical switching networks, or complex photonic routing architectures.
- Experience with multilayer silicon/silicon nitride photonic platforms and interlayer optical transitions.
- Experience developing automated routing, placement optimization, or layout generation algorithms.
- Familiarity with Cadence Virtuoso, SKILL, or electrical layout and EDA integration.
- Experience with photonic-electronic co-layout, packaging interfaces, or commercial silicon photonics foundry tapeouts.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement layouts for photonic integrated circuits, from component-level test structures to large-scale system PICs.
- Translate photonic schematics and design requirements into efficient, manufacturable GDSII layouts.
- Implement dense waveguide routing, multilayer optical interconnects, and die- and reticle-level floorplanning.
- Develop and maintain parameterized photonic component cells (PCells) and reusable layout libraries.
- Create Python-based scripts and automation tools for layout generation, routing, and design verification.
- Integrate photonic and electrical layouts, including electrical routing, contact pads, and packaging interfaces.
- Perform and debug physical verification, including DRC, LVS, and optical connectivity checks.
- Collaborate with photonic designers, packaging engineers, and foundry partners to optimize layouts and support tapeout submissions.
Benefits
- Catered lunch every day at headquarters.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
