Lead Integrated Photonics Simulation and Layout Engineer

Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid options available)

Travel: Less than 10% travel

Job ID: 1801

The Role:

We are looking for a Lead Integrated Photonic Simulation & Layout Engineer. In this role, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world's most complex problems.

In this role, you will lead the layout of state-of-the-art photonic integrated devices and circuits, with a primary focus on supporting PDK development with commercial foundries. You will also contribute to design and layout for quantum photonic platforms, including diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, and ion trap photonics. As part of our research organization, your work will be driven by ambitious system-level specifications, pushing the boundaries of current design capabilities to achieve unprecedented device performance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead component design and layout in support of PDK development with commercial photonic foundries, building and maintaining parameterized component cell (PCell) libraries with EPDA support, and automated layout workflows.
• Support design and layout for quantum photonic technologies, including diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, and ion trap photonics.
• Own full-reticle tapeouts from floorplanning through GDS generation, including physical verification (DRC, LVS) and leading layout reviews.
• Partner with internal fabrication and test teams to validate PDK components against measured device performance.

Requirements:

• A PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing devices in diamond photonics, thin-film lithium niobate, or ion trap photonics platforms, and proficiency with photonic simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical, Tidy3D, or COMSOL).
• Extensive hands-on experience generating layout for integrated photonic circuits, including ownership of full-reticle tapeouts with commercial foundries.
• Deep expertise with Python-based photonic layout tools (e.g., KLayout, gdsfactory, or Luceda IPKISS) and PDK development workflows.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of collaborating effectively across design, fabrication, and test teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing or supporting PDKs for commercial photonic foundries.
• Proficiency with agentic AI workflows (e.g., Claude Code) to accelerate design and layout work.
• Strong software engineering skills, including Python layout automation, version control, and physical verification (DRC, LVS, ERC).
• Familiarity with architectures for distributed quantum computing, sensing, and networking.

The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.