Silicon Photonics Design Engineer

The successful candidate will join our San Diego-based team developing cutting-edge silicon photonics devices. This person will learn and grow rapidly, while having enormous impact across all technical and business activities in a fast-pa ced startup environment.

Responsibilities:

● Design, simulate, and optimize silicon photonic active and passive components

● Implement design automation for simulation and layout tools

● Support and validate photonic layout design

● Collaborate with integration and test teams to optimize design based on aligned requirements ● Contribute to the development of new Intellectual Property related to photonic designs

Required:

● Strong desire to contribute to a high-impact photonics company

● Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or M.S. with 2+ years of industry experience

● Practical experience in modeling photonic devices or systems with design software (Lumerical, Tidy3D, or similar)

● Eligible to work in the United States

Desirable:

● Experience in high-speed modulator design and characterization

● Hands-on PIC tape-out experience using code-based layout tools with commercial foundries

● Proficient in programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for design automation and data analysis

● Strong interest in learning and advancing emerging photonic technologies

● Solid understanding of optical transceiver architectures and system-level requirements

● Familiarity with high-speed analog circuits (e.g., TIAs, modulator drivers) is a plus

Compensation and Benefits:

The annual base salary range for this position is $100,000 - $220,000, with role level tailored to the candidate’s qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will also be offered:

● Equity

● Health Benefits

● Flexible work hours

● Opportunity for rapid advancement

About the Company:

The future of data communication depends on breakthroughs in speed and efficiency. At Polaris Electro-Optics, we are pioneering that future. Our mission—to enable and dominate the datacom optical transceiver market—is built upon our groundbreaking Ferroelectric Nematic Glass technology. This ambitious goal is fueled by assembling a world-class team of dedicated technologists, driven by a shared passion for innovation and a relentless desire to solve the industry's most challenging problems. If you are a builder and a problem-solver who wants to create market-defining technology, you will find your home at Polaris.

Send your resume and cover letter to