Principal Silicon Photonics Product Engineer

Nokia • New York, NY

4h • $125,269 - $190,000

About The Position

The Principal Silicon Photonics Product Engineer will lead the architecture and development of next-generation optical engines using advanced silicon photonics process technologies. The work supports high-performance pluggable optics and embedded solutions for coherent DWDM long-haul and metro transport applications. The role owns product definition, photonic integrated circuit (PIC) architecture and specifications, and development of test methodologies for coherent transmit/receive signal chains and optical components.

The engineer will optimize coherent optical link budgets and analyze system performance, channel impairments, chromatic dispersion, polarization effects, component margins, and foundry process capabilities. They will establish design-for-test and design-for-manufacturing practices and characterization strategies to support high-yield manufacturing and volume ramp. As a subject matter expert, the engineer will lead design reviews and set technical direction for performance, power efficiency, and manufacturability. The role also coordinates cross-functional work across photonics, RFIC/EIC, DSP, packaging, product engineering, foundry partners, test development, and product leadership.

Requirements

• MS or Ph.D. in integrated optics, silicon photonics, electrical engineering, or applied physics.
• At least 5 years of industry experience in silicon photonics, integrated optics, or a relevant field.
• Extensive technical expertise in silicon photonics device design, including device performance characterization and validation.
• Laboratory experience in optical engineering tests, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification testing.
• Experience in RF design, testing, and characterization of photonic devices using equipment such as VNAs and spectrum analyzers.
• Solid programming skills in Python or C/C++.
• Good understanding of physics, especially optics or electromagnetics.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience as a Nokia intern or co-op.
• Proficiency with optics design tools such as Lumerical.
• Experience designing or characterizing silicon photonic or other integrated optical/optoelectronic devices or circuits.
• Strong understanding of fiber optics and integrated optics.
• Experience in photonic integrated circuit design, modeling, and layout.
• Solid numerical and physics-related programming skills.
• Experience with high-frequency design and modeling.

Responsibilities

• Drive architecture and development of next-generation optical engines in advanced silicon photonics process technologies for coherent long-haul and metro transport applications.
• Own product definition, PIC architecture innovation, and specifications for integrated photonic circuits and test methodologies.
• Develop and optimize link budgets and analyze system performance, channel impairments, chromatic dispersion, polarization effects, component margins, and foundry process capabilities.
• Establish design-for-test and design-for-manufacturing practices, photonic device characterization strategies, and test protocols.
• Lead design reviews and set technical direction for system-level performance, power efficiency, and manufacturability.
• Drive cross-functional execution with design, RFIC/EIC, DSP, packaging, product engineering, foundry, test development, and product leadership teams.
• Architect and deploy scalable design automation, simulation frameworks, and test infrastructure.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal