Principal Silicon Photonics Design Engineer

The Senior Silicon Photonic Design Engineer is responsible for the design, simulation, and tapeout of advanced silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) used in high-speed optical communication systems. This role involves developing passive and active photonic devices, integrating them into complex photonic systems such as coherent transmitters and receivers, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to take products from concept through production. The position requires deep expertise in photonic device physics, PIC layout and simulation tools, and experience working with external silicon photonics foundries.

Please note, this role is open to candidates in Ottawa, Canada.

What You’ll Do

Design, verify and tape out silicon PICs, including integrated coherent transmitters and receivers.

Develop passive and active photonic components.

Create PIC layouts using Synopsys OptoCompiler and Cadence Virtuoso-based design flows.

Develop PCells and scripted layouts for scalable photonic circuit design.

Perform optical, electrical, RF and electro-optic simulations using tools such as Lumerical, CST, HFSS, Tidy3D and ADS.

Conduct design-corner analysis and post-layout verification.

Develop compact models and system-level simulation workflows.

Partner with external foundries across multiple silicon photonics platforms.

Collaborate with electronics, packaging, optical systems, test, reliability and manufacturing teams.

Support prototype validation, qualification and New Product Introduction.

Improve manufacturability, process robustness, yield and production performance.

Participate in design reviews and mentor junior engineers.

What You’ll Bring

PhD or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics or a related field.

Five or more years of experience in silicon photonics, integrated photonics or optical communication systems.

Proven experience with PIC tapeouts, external foundries and photonic process design kits.

Strong knowledge of photonic device physics, PIC design and coherent optical systems.

Experience with photonic and electromagnetic simulation tools.

Knowledge of RF and electro-optic modelling, photonic packaging and fibre coupling.

Programming experience for simulation automation and data analysis.

Strong analytical, problem-solving and collaboration skills.

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Everything we do is guided by our ICARE values:

?? Integrity – Create an environment of trust.

✨ Collaboration – Innovate through the sharing of ideas.

?? Accountability – Own the process and the outcome.

?? Respect – Recognise the value in everyone.

?? Enthusiasm – Find a sense of purpose in work.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.