[Hiring] Photonics Layout Engineer @Voyant Photonics

Role Description

As a Photonic Layout Engineer, you'll take ownership of PIC layouts from initial floorplanning through tapeout. You'll have the opportunity to develop automated layout methodologies, solve complex routing challenges, and work closely with photonic designers and other engineering teams in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Develop and implement layouts for complex photonic integrated circuits, from component-level test structures to large-scale system PICs.
• Translate photonic schematics and design requirements into efficient, manufacturable GDSII layouts.
• Implement dense waveguide routing, multilayer optical interconnects, and die- and reticle-level floorplanning.
• Develop and maintain parameterized photonic component cells (PCells) and reusable layout libraries.
• Create Python-based scripts and automation tools for layout generation, routing, and design verification.
• Integrate photonic and electrical layouts, including electrical routing, contact pads, and packaging interfaces.
• Perform and debug physical verification, including DRC, LVS, and optical connectivity checks.
• Collaborate with photonic designers, packaging engineers, and foundry partners to optimize layouts and support tapeout submissions.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in photonic integrated circuit layout, preferably in silicon photonics or a similar platform.
• Proficiency with photonic layout tools such as GDSFactory, IPKISS, KLayout, or equivalent.
• Strong Python scripting skills, including experience with layout automation or parameterized designs.
• Experience with photonic waveguide routing, component placement, and chip-level layout integration.
• Familiarity with silicon photonics foundry PDKs, design rules, and tapeout processes.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.

Requirements

• Experience with large-scale PIC layout, optical switching networks, or complex photonic routing architectures.
• Experience with multilayer silicon/silicon nitride photonic platforms and interlayer optical transitions.
• Experience developing automated routing, placement optimization, or layout generation algorithms.
• Familiarity with Cadence Virtuoso, SKILL, or electrical layout and EDA integration.
• Experience with photonic-electronic co-layout, packaging interfaces, or commercial silicon photonics foundry tapeouts.

Benefits

• Catered lunch every day at HQ.
• A diverse group of food lovers from around the world who enjoy sharing food, culture, and technical ideas around the lunch table.

Company Description

Voyant Photonics is pushing the boundaries of silicon photonic chips that steer and switch light at high speed. They power next generation, chip-scale FMCW LiDAR for robotics and autonomy, and optical circuit switches (OCS) for AI data centers. Based in NYC, we’re a hands-on team designing, building, and deploying frontier hardware to solve problems that matter, from how machines see to how AI scales.