PIC Design Engineer – Team Lead

Team Lead – Photonic Integrated Circuit Design

San Jose - Hybrid | $290,000 – $350,000 + Bonus & Shares

Position Summary

We’re looking for a Lead PIC Design Engineer to manage both the technical execution and team direction for advanced photonic integrated circuit development.

This position blends deep hands-on engineering with leadership responsibility — overseeing device design, simulation, validation, and system integration while mentoring engineers and driving cross-functional collaboration across photonics, electronics, and systems teams.

What You’ll Own

• Lead the architecture, design, simulation, and validation of key PIC components, including modulators, filters, and photodetectors.
• Guide the development of mathematical and behavioral models to support photonic–electronic co-simulation.
• Oversee integration, lab bring-up, and performance verification of combined photonic and electronic ICs.
• Provide technical leadership through design reviews, mentorship, and structured engineering processes.
• Align cross-disciplinary teams to optimize device performance at the system level.
• Establish and refine design methodologies, workflows, and best practices across the team.
• Implement scripting and automation tools (Python, MATLAB, etc.) to streamline simulation and analysis.

What You Bring

• Extensive experience in photonic device or PIC design, with prior leadership of projects or small engineering teams.
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field — or an MS with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of optical transceiver architectures and system-driven design requirements.
• Expertise in PIC layout, device simulation, and modeling techniques.
• Proficiency with Cadence tools and mixed-signal simulation environments.
• Proven ability to drive technical execution while mentoring engineers and managing competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative leadership style.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $290,000 – $350,000
• Performance-based bonus eligibility
• Short- and long-term incentive participation
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, life, and disability insurance
• Generous PTO, parental leave, and additional employee programs