Senior Photonic-Integrated-Circuit Integration Engineer

Intel is hiring a Senior Photonic-Integrated-Circuit Integration Engineer in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $191k-$312k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Intel.

Level's read on this job

On Level's scale, this role is Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
The posting mentions Lumerical Interconnect, Ads and silicon photonics among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a senior role.
Intel has 842 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Design and optimize silicon photonic integrated circuits supporting AI datacenters and communication systems.

Lumerical InterconnectAds

silicon-photonicsintegrated-circuit-designsimulationsemiconductor-manufacturing

Job Details:

Job Description:

The world is transforming - and so is Intel. Intel is a company of bold and curious inventors and problem solvers who create some of the most astounding technological advancements and experiences in the world. With a legacy of relentless innovation and a commitment to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth, our diverse and brilliant teams are continually searching for tomorrow's technology and revel in the challenge that changing the world for the better brings. We work every single day to design and manufacture silicon products that empower people's digital lives. Come join us and do something wonderful.

The Role and Impact

As a Silicon Photonics Integrated Circuit Engineer, you will play an instrumental role in defining, designing, and optimizing cutting-edge silicon photonic integrated circuits, including applications in AI datacenter scale-up, laser sources, and pluggable/NPO/CPO/OCI solutions. You will contribute to all stages of chip development, from design and simulation to validation and manufacturing, ensuring high-performance and reliability. Your expertise will directly shape photonic technologies that drive Intel's innovation, making a tangible impact on next-generation solutions.

Business Group

This role is part of Intel's Integrated Photonics Solutions (IPS), a group dedicated to pioneering advancements in silicon photonics and integrated circuit technologies. Our team focuses on high-impact research, design, and development to enable transformative solutions that enhance Intel's technological leadership in the industry. By joining us, you will be part of a collaborative environment that empowers innovation and problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

Architect, design, and optimize complex active and passive silicon photonic integrated circuits.
Develop and execute plans for chip design, layout, tape out, test, validation, and performance debug.
Collaborate cross-functionally with foundries, validation teams, manufacturers, and quality/reliability groups.
Conduct data analysis, reliability, qualification, and delivery of known-good-die solutions.
Design and simulate photonic integrated circuit systems using advanced modeling tools (such as Lumerical Interconnect, ADS).
Drive high-volume manufacturing (HVM) enabling flows and ensure seamless integration of photonic technologies.
Develop technical documentation and test content to support the silicon photonics chip lifecycle.

Qualifications:

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates. Experience listed below would be obtained through a combination of your degree, research and or relevant previous job and or internship experiences.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in relevant fields and 8+ years of industry experience OR a PhD with 6+ years of industry experience.

Required Skills:

Experience in development of photonic-integrated-circuits from concept to high volume manufacturing (HVM).
Experience designing, simulating, and testing complex PIC's, including link budget analysis, electrical power budgets, back-reflection budgets, Monte Carlo models and other performance indicators.
Familiarity using optical design and simulation tools such as Lumerical (FDTD, MODE, DEVICE, Interconnect), RSoft, Tidy3D, Harold, Photon Design, or numerical simulation tools such as Matlab or Python.
Experience contributing to or leading PIC tape-outs.
Familiarity with layout tools such as Candence, KLayout, Synopsys Optocompiler, or GDSFactory.

Preferred Qualifications:

Proven ability to solve problems in group settings and deliver innovative solutions.
A track record of driving impactful results in large-scale integrated circuit development.
Exposure to standard photonic test methodologies and equipment such as optical spectrum analyzers, tunable lasers, optical backscatter reflectometers, optical vector analyzers, fiber or free-space coupling.
Exposure to EDA/PDA tools and methodologies.
Familiarity with LVS, SDL, and DRC.
PIC test data analysis and design optimization including using statistical analysis using tools such as JMP or statistical libraries in matlab or python.

If you are passionate about advancing cutting-edge photonic technologies and ready to make a significant impact, we invite you to bring your expertise and creativity to Intel. Join us to shape the future of silicon photonics and redefine what's possible in technology.

Job Type:

Experienced Hire

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location:

US, California, Santa Clara

Additional Locations:

Posting Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust

N/A

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $190,610.00-311,890.00 USD

The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Work Model for this Role

This role will require an on-site presence. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

How we rate this

Senior Photonic-Integrated-Circuit Integration Engineer at Intel rates 15 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Senior Photonic-Integrated-Circuit Integration Engineer is an open job at Intel.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $191k-$312k a year.
The role is based in US, California, Santa Clara.
The job was posted on August 14, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by Intel. Apply on Intel

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Silicon PhotonicsIntegrated Circuit DesignSimulationSemiconductor ManufacturingLumerical InterconnectAds

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where silicon photonics was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where integrated circuit design was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where simulation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where semiconductor manufacturing was part of your work. What did you do?
Walk me through how you've used Lumerical Interconnect in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Silicon Photonics, Integrated Circuit Design, Simulation, Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Lumerical Interconnect. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

Get your CV reviewed before you apply

Send your CV and the role you want next. Your review arrives by email within 3 days.

Get a free CV review Check your resume with the ATS resume checker