Staff Photonics Design & PDK Modeling Engineer

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a library of pcells using Python-based layout frameworks.
• Ensure strict synchronization between physical layout, logical netlists, and behavioral models.
• Create and verify behavioral compact models for passive and active devices.
• Simulation Infrastructure: Build automated workflows that extract parameters from electromagnetic solvers (FDTD/FEM) and package them into the PDK for circuit-level simulation.
• Model-Hardware Correlation: Validate simulation models against lab measurements. Perform data fitting and statistical analysis to align model parameters with real-world silicon performance.
• Automated Verification: Implement regression testing and Continuous Integration (CI) pipelines to ensure PDK updates do not break legacy designs or connectivity logic.
• Netlist & Connectivity: Own the logic for netlist extraction, ensuring that the connectivity graph generated by the code perfectly matches the physical intent.

Qualifications

• Master’s +5 years experience or PhD +3 years experience in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related field.
• Deep understanding of photonic device physics and experience in device simulation.
• Experience building behavioral models for circuit simulators (e.g., Lumerical INTERCONNECT, Cadence, Synopsys OptSim, or custom Python solvers).
• Experienced in Python for modeling, automation, and data analysis. Comfortable with object-oriented programming and scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy).
• Python based layout experience.
• Prior experience in performing physical layout using foundry-provided process design kits (PDKs), adhering to specific design rules and constraints.
• Experience in taping out and testing large-scale photonic integrated circuits, including familiarity with relevant testing equipment and methodologies.
• Prior experience in performing inverse design.
• Possess strong project execution skills, demonstrating the ability to effectively manage multiple design priorities, adhere to project timelines, and meet critical milestones.