Senior Mask Layout Engineer (Photonics)

Location: Hybrid/onsite in College Park, Maryland, United States. Travel up to 10%.

Base salary: $126,887–$166,127 per year, plus bonus and equity.

Company

hirify.global develops integrated quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security solutions, including trapped-ion quantum computers and related photonic and electronic technologies.

What you will do

• Own full-reticle tapeouts for trapped-ion quantum computers, including photonic and analog electronic layers.
• Conduct Python-based mask layout for tapeouts with commercial foundries.
• Develop and maintain internal PDK, PCell, and automated circuit layout libraries.
• Implement physical verification checks, including DRC and LVS.
• Define layout rules and component designs with designers, test engineers, packaging engineers, and foundry teams.
• Document tapeouts, lead layout reviews, and improve design, layout, and testing workflows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing processes and techniques.
• Strong programming and software skills, including IDE development, version control, shell scripting, and code documentation.
• At least 2 years of experience with Python-based mask layout software such as Luceda IPKISS, GDSFactory, or KLayout.
• Ability to work in a hybrid/onsite role in College Park, Maryland.
• U.S. person status, a required export-control license, or an applicable license exception may be required to access controlled technology and government-contract work.

Nice to have

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience generating layout files for complex semiconductor flows with custom elements such as MEMS, integrated photonics, or superconducting circuits.
• Experience owning full-reticle tapeouts with commercial foundries and using Synopsys, Cadence, or Ansys.
• Experience with photonic or analog electronic device design, testing, fabrication, and physical verification including DRC, LVS, and ERC.
• Strong documentation, communication, independent work, prioritization, and time-management skills.

Culture & Benefits

• Autonomy-focused environment that values productivity, respect, inclusion, and diverse viewpoints.
• 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.
• Cross-functional work on quantum computing, memory, networking, sensing, and security technologies.