PIC Design Engineer – Team Lead
Job Description
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
