Senior Photonic Layout Engineer (AI)

Location: Berkeley, California, United States

Salary: $150,000–$230,000 per year

Company

Early-stage photonic computing company developing an integrated optical-electronic platform for AI workloads, spanning photonic compute, electronic ICs, packaging, memory, and system architecture.

What you will do

• Own the photonic layout flow from design implementation and routing through verification, sign-off, and tape-out release.
• Establish a Cadence Photonics workflow for GlobalFoundries’ 45 nm process that is compatible with the electronic IC design flow.
• Implement photonic and electronic layouts and routing in Cadence, resolving interfaces between the two domains.
• Own netlisting, DRC/LVS, foundry PDK integration, and manufacturing-readiness requirements.
• Work across PIC, EIC, packaging, and lab validation while connecting layout decisions to integrated system performance.
• Help establish a complete design workflow within a small team and move research silicon toward a commercial product.

Requirements

• Direct PIC design experience with substantial personal ownership of layout implementation, routing, and verification.
• Strong hands-on Cadence experience, including practical work connecting photonic and electronic design flows.
• Experience taking commercial photonic designs toward tape-out, with personal accountability for implementation and sign-off.
• Practical ownership of foundry PDKs, design rules, netlisting, and DRC/LVS.
• Strong understanding of silicon-photonics device physics, supported by device or circuit design and simulation experience.
• Ability to work across PIC, EIC, packaging, and lab validation while understanding how layout decisions affect the integrated system.
• Comfort with hands-on execution, broad responsibility, and establishing a design flow within a small team.

Nice to have

• PhD candidates are considered for the Senior position.

Culture & Benefits

• Early-stage environment with major design and integration decisions still open.
• Direct collaboration with a technically deep founding team.
• Ownership of a foundational component of a photonic computing platform.
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• 401(k).