Photonics Fabrication and Design Engineer

Great Sky is a deep tech startup with a mission to rebuild AI from first principles. We are pursuing neuroscience-inspired hardware and algorithms that overcome the greatest challenges in scaling AI systems. Learn more at greatsky.ai.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated Photonics Fabrication and Design Engineer to develop the cryogenic photonic networks central to our technology platform. In this role, you will contribute to the design of SiN-based passive photonic components and take full ownership of the R&D prototyping lifecycle. You will perform hands-on device fabrication at a cleanroom facility located near our Boulder office. This is a high-ownership position with substantial influence on the pace and direction of our hardware development.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end prototype fabrication runs in a research cleanroom environment.
• Develop, execute, and optimize manufacturable fabrication processes for integrated photonic devices and superconducting devices, including SNSPDs.
• Design, simulate and optimize passive silicon nitride (SiN) photonic components such as (e.g., grating couplers, splitters, mode converters, edge couplers and optical I/O).
• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process flows into stable Processes of Record (POR).
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of internal Process Design Kits (PDKs) and component libraries.
• Work closely with test, packaging, and systems integration teams to correlate device performance with fabrication metrics, accelerating our design-build-test-learn cycles.

Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in physics, electrical engineering, optics, materials science, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands-on experience in microfabrication, nanofabrication, or semiconductor processing.
• Experience with fabricating devices on at least one of these platforms: silicon photonics, silicon nitride, and/or superconducting electronics.
• Strong background in passive photonic component design with proficiency in industry-standard electromagnetic simulation software (e.g., Ansys Lumerical, Tidy3D).
• Solid understanding of photonic layout concepts, Design Rule Checking (DRC), and familiarity with standard layout tools (e.g., KLayout, Luceda, Cadence).

Skills

• Experience with SNSPD fabrication.
• Experience with heterogeneous or hybrid integration methods such as bump bonding or fusion bonding.
• Experience transferring processes to external fabs or working with foundries.
• Previous fabrication background utilizing shared, multi-user facilities such as university cleanrooms, national laboratories, or advanced commercial R&D centers.

Benefits

• Meaningful equity ownership in an early-stage deep tech company.
• Employer-matched 401(k).
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Flexible PTO.
• Support for ongoing learning, conference attendance, and skill development.

Pay

Base salary range: $140,000–$180,000, depending on experience and qualifications.