Integrated Photonic Scientist/Engineer, Onsite

About the role

We are seeking a mid-career Integrated Photonic Scientist/Engineer with an emphasis in silicon photonics technologies to join the Photonic and Phononic Microsystems Department at Sandia, leading and supporting development and evaluation of novel photonic technologies for Sandia's national security missions including communications, sensing, and advanced computing such as quantum and neuromorphic computing.

Responsibilities

• Perform research and analysis in innovative photonic devices and microsystems, including simulation, design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of photonic devices and systems.
• Develop and execute test and evaluation plans including objectives and metrics, procedures, modeling efforts, and lab experiments.
• Identify technology and performance gaps from device and system perspectives for different national security related applications.
• Lead and support R&D tasks, directing post-docs, students, and other staff members to achieve milestones and deliverables.
• Generate presentations and detailed reports on project results to management and sponsors.
• Engage and interact closely with internal and external research partners, industry and government customers and sponsor (across multiple institutions).
• Develop strategy and vision for photonic research for national security applications.
• As applicable, generate new intellectual property through patent filing and report new findings in top-tier journals and conferences.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level (or DOD equivalent) security clearance.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.
• The ideal R&D Electrical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
• PhD degree in a relevant discipline and at least two (2) years of directly relevant post-PhD experience in a research laboratory environment, which may include a post doctoral appointment (university or national lab), and research staff role in an industry or national laboratories setting.
• Ability to perform original research, demonstrated through a record of invention, original publications in top-tier journals, and conference papers and presentations.
• Expertise in a variety of passive and active integrated silicon photonic devices.
• Knowledge of microfabrication process and device fabrication challenges.
• Understanding of semiconductor physics, optical materials (such as SiN, Si, SiO2:Ge, lithium niobate, barium titanate, etc.), nonlinear optics, nano-optomechanics, heterogeneous integration, and/or related topics.
• Familiarity with Quantum photonic experiments, such as time correlated single photon measurements (g2 and Hong-Ou-Mandel experiments) at cryogenic temperatures.
• Understanding of frequency-encoded qubit systems is a plus.
• Expertise in one of more photonic applications such as, quantum computing, sensing, and networking, RF signal process, neuromorphic computing, and data communications with a combination of device and system perspectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while managing multiple tasks concurrently.
• Strong project leadership and management skills that encompass reporting, budgeting, directing and mentoring team members, and ensuring milestones and deliverables are met, complemented by strong presentation, writing, and communication abilities.
• Strong history of innovation, developing new concepts and solutions, novice devices, and applications of technology.
• Experience and success in research proposal writing and customer engagement.
• Active DOE or DOD clearance.

Pay

$117,500 - $235,700 Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Schedule

Onsite work is required due to the nature of the work.

Benefits

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance.