About us

At Wave Photonics, we are building a platform to enable and accelerate the development, mass production and adoption of integrated photonics technologies. Integrated photonics will be crucial in enabling a host of applications ranging from energy-efficient communications, wearable healthcare sensors, rapid diagnostic tools, optical tensor processors, on-chip LiDAR, quantum computing and communication, and many more. We believe that many obstacles in developing these technologies can be removed using a combination of simulation, statistical modelling and optimisation techniques.

Founded in 2021, we have backing from great investors in Silicon Valley, the UK, and the EU, and are contributing to multiple projects funded by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. We were also successful in winning a prestigious European Innovation Council Accelerator project to develop solutions for frontier applications of integrated photonics.

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic PIC Design Engineer to join our team and contribute to our mission in accelerating the growth and adoption of integrated photonics technologies.

Role overview

This is an exciting opportunity to design, simulate, tape-out and characterise photonic components and circuit designs at Wave Photonics. In this role, you will be responsible for the design and optimisation of active PIC building blocks, helping to advance Wave Photonics’ component design libraries and modelling capability. You will play a crucial role in taking designs from concept to validation, informing our roadmaps and product design.

The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in integrated photonics circuit design, including modulation and detection. You will work across the full lifecycle: concept and modelling, electromagnetic and electro-optic/RF co-design, layout and verification, tapeout, and lab characterisation. Your work will directly shape Wave Photonics’ component libraries and design flows, and you’ll collaborate closely within the team to support our mission to unlock the potential of integrated photonics.

You will be a core member of our small but growing team, contributing to key deliverables and milestones that drive our product development. You will be immersed in the fast-paced environment of a start-up that has ambitions to change the integrated photonics industry. We value enthusiastic people who bring a willingness to learn new things and challenge existing ideas.

Essential

Masters or PhD in integrated photonics, electrical engineering, physics or related discipline.
Strong hands-on experience modelling integrated photonics devices, including active components (e.g. MZMs, ring modulators, phase shifters, photodiodes).
Experience with PIC design, layout and tape-out on silicon/silicon nitride, TFLN, III-V or related platforms.
Strong proficiency in Python / MATLAB / Julia (or another programming language) for analysis and automation.
Proficiency with photonic simulation & layout tools (e.g., Ansys/Lumerical MODE/DEVICE/INTERCONNECT, Synopsys OptoDesigner, Luceda IPKISS, COMSOL, Tidy3D, GDSFactory, KLayout or equivalent).

Nice to have/ Beneficial

Knowledge of photonics packaging, fibre coupling and thermal management.
Experience with RF electrode co-design (transmission lines, impedance/velocity matching, S-parameters).
Experience in high-speed active device design and test.
Understanding of foundry processes, design rules and physical verification (DRC/LVS).

If you are as excited as we are about the world-changing technologies that will be enabled by integrated photonics and you want to play a key part in it, then please get in touch!

Salary and compensation

£45k - £65k pa., depending on experience.
Company share options plan.
Enhanced annual leave (25 days + bank holidays).
In-person working with flexible working options available where possible.

Work environment

At Wave Photonics we see a brighter future. We strive towards that goal not only in the technology we develop, but as a dedicated and welcoming team who are passionate about working together to make it happen. We see the huge value in creating a team with people from all backgrounds and experiences. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are vital to our mission, and we strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

Our office in Cambridge serves as the dynamic hub where brilliant minds converge to redefine the future of integrated photonics. Nestled in one of the world's most renowned academic and technological cities, our workspace embodies the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and cutting-edge exploration. We strive to create an environment where open communication and cross-disciplinary thinking are not just encouraged but celebrated.

How to apply

Please upload a CV and optional covering letter by clicking the “Apply for this job” button.

Any questions can also be directed to careers@wavephotonics.com – please include the tag “WP0925-PICA” in the subject line.

All applicants will be notified within 28 days of application.

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE.

Wave Photonics

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