Principal Photonics Engineer – Laser & III-V Integration

Coherent•Fremont, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lead development of next-generation integrated laser technologies for advanced optical communication and photonic systems. Develop laser integration solutions for highly integrated optical transceivers, co-packaged optics, and future optical interconnect architectures. Design and optimize photonic components and circuits—including waveguides, couplers, tapers, Bragg gratings, resonators, filters, and wavelength-selective components—and develop architectures integrating III-V gain materials and semiconductor laser devices with silicon photonics and other photonic platforms. The role spans hybrid and heterogeneous integration, collaboration with III-V device and epitaxy teams, photonic interfaces between laser chips and PICs, fabrication and integration processes, and advanced packaging. It includes optical and electromagnetic simulation, characterization and optimization of lasers and integrated photonic devices, analysis of experimental results, support for PIC and laser tape-outs, development of test structures and methodologies, and collaboration with systems engineering teams to meet future system requirements. The position is hybrid and may involve occasional off-site meetings or travel, as well as occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours. The role requires following site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards. Depending on location, it may also involve execution and maintenance of applicable quality and environmental management standards. Employees are expected to uphold the company’s ICARE values: Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Enthusiasm.

Requirements

PhD or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optics, Materials Science, or a related field.
Five or more years of relevant industry or advanced research experience in semiconductor lasers, integrated photonics, or optoelectronic devices.
Strong knowledge of semiconductor laser physics and laser device operation.
Strong understanding of III-V semiconductor materials and devices, including materials and structures used for lasers and optical amplifiers.
Experience with semiconductor lasers, such as DFB lasers, DBR lasers, Fabry-Perot lasers, SOAs, or other integrated laser technologies.
Strong background in integrated photonic device and circuit design.
Experience designing photonic components such as waveguides, couplers, tapers, Bragg gratings, resonators, and filters.
Experience with semiconductor fabrication processes, III-V epitaxy, wafer processing, or photonic foundries.
Experience with optical characterization of semiconductor lasers and photonic devices.
Familiarity with photonic simulation tools such as Lumerical, Tidy3D, RSoft, Photon Design, or equivalent.
Experience with PIC layout, foundry PDKs, and tapeout flows.
Strong understanding of photonic and optoelectronic packaging, including die attach, optical alignment, thermal management, wire bonding, and fiber coupling.
Strong interpersonal, teaming, problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills across photonics, III-V materials, fabrication, and packaging.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.
Ability to use hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing and move within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.

Nice To Haves

Experience with III-V and silicon photonics integration.
Understanding of hybrid and heterogeneous integration approaches.
Programming experience in Python or similar languages for simulation automation and data analysis.
A strong interest in developing innovative technologies for future high-bandwidth optical interconnects and highly integrated optical systems.

Responsibilities

Lead development of next-generation integrated laser technologies for optical communication and photonic systems.
Develop laser integration solutions for optical transceivers, co-packaged optics, and future optical interconnect architectures.
Design and optimize photonic components and circuits, including waveguides, couplers, tapers, Bragg gratings, resonators, filters, and wavelength-selective components.
Develop architectures for integrating III-V gain materials and semiconductor laser devices with silicon photonics and other photonic platforms.
Explore and develop hybrid and heterogeneous laser integration technologies.
Work with III-V device and epitaxy teams to define laser and gain-chip requirements and optimize device performance.
Design and optimize photonic interfaces between laser chips and PICs, including mode converters, spot-size converters, and optical coupling structures.
Work with fabrication teams and foundries to define device structures, fabrication processes, and process improvements.
Develop and optimize fabrication and integration processes for laser and photonic devices.
Collaborate with advanced packaging teams on laser-to-PIC integration, optical alignment, thermal management, electrical interfaces, and reliability.
Perform optical and electromagnetic simulations using photonic simulation tools.
Support characterization and optimization of lasers and integrated photonic devices, including threshold current, output power, efficiency, spectrum, linewidth, wavelength tuning, and reliability.
Analyze experimental results and use measurement data to improve device designs, integration approaches, and fabrication processes.
Support PIC and laser tape-outs and work with foundries and fabrication partners throughout development.
Develop test structures and methodologies for evaluating photonic devices, III-V materials, and integrated laser assemblies.
Work with systems engineering teams to ensure laser and photonic subsystem performance meets future system requirements.
Contribute to new laser architectures and photonic integration concepts.
Follow site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Depending on location, execute and maintain applicable quality and environmental management standards.
Adhere to the company’s ICARE values.