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Great Sky is a technology startup pursuing neuroscience-inspired hardware and algorithms to overcome scaling challenges in AI systems. We are seeking a highly motivated Photonics Design Engineer to design detector-integrated photonic networks central to our cryogenic technology platform.
You will own the design of active and passive photonic components and circuits, from simulation and layout through tapeout at major semiconductor foundries. This is a high-ownership position with substantial influence on the pace and direction of hardware development.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design, simulate, and optimize passive photonic components on silicon nitride (SiN) and silicon platforms, including waveguides, grating and edge couplers, splitters, mode converters, resonators, and optical I/O.
- Design active components for cryogenic operation, including waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) and phase shifters or modulators.
- Design and lay out detector-integrated photonic circuits combining passive optical routing with integrated detectors and electrical readout.
- Prepare tapeouts for foundry multi-project wafer (MPW) and dedicated runs, including layout, verification, design reviews against foundry PDKs, and test structures.
- Build and maintain internal PDK, component libraries, and script-based layout and DRC flows (e.g., GDSFactory, KLayout), working with foundry process teams.
- Work closely with test, packaging, and systems integration teams to compare measured cryogenic performance with simulation, accelerating design-build-test-learn cycles.
The company culture is onsite by default (founded by scientists accustomed to lab work), with flexibility for hybrid arrangements. For the right person and role, remote work is possible.
Benefits include meaningful equity ownership in an early-stage deep tech company, employer-matched 401(k), health/dental/vision/life insurance, flexible PTO, and support for ongoing learning and conference attendance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Required:
- BS, MS, or PhD in physics, electrical engineering, optics, or related field; or equivalent practical experience.
- Strong proficiency in industry-standard electromagnetic simulation methods (FDTD/EME) and software (e.g., Ansys Lumerical, Tidy3D).
- Experience designing devices on silicon nitride and/or silicon photonics platforms, such as grating couplers, edge couplers, splitters, and waveguide transitions.
- Solid understanding of photonic layout concepts, Design Rule Checking (DRC), and familiarity with standard layout tools (e.g., KLayout, Luceda, Cadence).
- Experience developing or extending a PDK, including PCells, component libraries, design rules, or compact models.
Preferred:
- Experience taping out photonic designs through a foundry or MPW program (e.g., imec, AIM Photonics, Ligentec).
- Experience designing SNSPDs or other waveguide-integrated detectors, or active devices such as phase shifters and modulators.
- Experience with multi-layer SiN platforms and interlayer couplers.
- Hands-on optical and electro-optical characterization (e.g., fiber coupling, waveguide loss, grating coupler, photodetector measurements).
- Experience fabricating devices on silicon photonics, silicon nitride, and/or superconducting electronics platforms.
- Experience using AI tools, including agentic AI, to improve photonic designs and write layout code.
