Principal Photonic Device Design Engineer (Integrated Photonics)

Location: Onsite at the office in Santa Barbara, California, United States. Travel is less than 10%.

Salary: $212,000–$275,000 USD per year, plus bonus, equity, and benefits.

Company

hirify.global develops integrated quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security platforms, including quantum systems and photonic technologies.

What you will do

• Lead the development of semiconductor lasers and active photonic-device architectures.
• Translate system and product requirements into device specifications, epitaxial designs, optical structures, mask layouts, and verification plans.
• Own device designs from modeling and simulation through tape-out, fabrication, characterization, optimization, and production qualification.
• Establish modeling practices, design methodologies, design rules, and verification standards.
• Lead experiments and data analysis to improve performance, yield, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Direct cross-functional collaboration, design reviews, technical initiatives, mentorship, technology transfer, and production ramp activities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in electrical engineering, applied physics, optics, photonics, materials science, or a related field with 5+ years of experience, or 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Deep expertise in semiconductor lasers, III-V photonics, integrated photonics, or heterogeneous photonic integration.
• Experience developing active photonic devices through multiple design, fabrication, and characterization cycles.
• Extensive experience with device modeling, simulation, mask layout, fabrication, and design verification.
• Strong knowledge of semiconductor laser physics, III-V materials, epitaxial structures, optical cavities, thermal behavior, and fabrication processes.
• Must work onsite in Santa Barbara, California, and satisfy applicable U.S. export-control and government-contract eligibility requirements.

Nice to have

• Experience developing integrated laser platforms for quantum, sensing, communications, or other high-performance applications.
• Experience working with semiconductor foundries, epitaxial suppliers, and packaging partners through production transition.
• Experience supporting strategic customers, external partnerships, proposals, or government-funded R&D programs.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Matching 401(k), unlimited paid time off, and paid holidays.
• Parental and adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend.
• Work environment focused on autonomy, productivity, respect, inclusion, and equal opportunity.