Staff Engineer - Integrated Photonics

We are looking for a Staff Engineer, Integrated Photonics and 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 focus primarily on developing and utilizing tools and techniques for characterization of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for use in trapped-ion quantum computer systems.   You will also have the opportunity to design PICs and innovate to develop new optical systems based on integrated photonics.  The characterization tools and PIC-based systems you design, build, and use will help drive the overall development of a new and game-changing photonics technology to enable scalable quantum computing.  

Responsibilities: 

• Characterize and validate photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and PIC-based optical systems
• Design, build, and utilize device characterization infrastructure for PICs that operate over a wide wavelength range from the near UV to the near infrared
• Develop automated PIC characterization capabilities and infrastructure to increase testing throughput
• Develop device testing and characterization protocols and data analysis tools
• Develop databases to store raw and analyzed data and results
• Design and simulate PICs and PIC-based optical systems for testing and for integration into trapped-ion quantum computing systems
• Work within a team of microfabrication engineers, PIC engineers, and quantum computing physicists to improve PIC performance and system impact

You’d be a good fit with: 

• A PhD in Engineering, integrated photonics, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in hands-on characterization of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and devices
• Experience with free-space and fiber optics for delivery of laser light to PICs
• Experience designing, building, and using optical testing infrastructure, including automated testing systems
• Strong programming skills for experimental automation software
• Strong data processing, visualization, and organizational skills
• Familiarity with fabrication processes and design constraints for PICs
• A desire and ability to think big and to develop new ideas and technology
  

You’d be a great fit with: 

• 3+ years of industry experience or equivalent 
• Experience with design and simulation of integrated-photonic PICs and devices via Lumerical, COMSOL, or similar
• Experience with programming in Python
• Experience working with visible-light laser sources and optics

This role is based onsite at our College Park, Maryland location. The base salary range for this position is $141,670 to $185,482. This role may also be eligible for variable compensation in the form of an annual performance bonus and equity as part of the total compensation package.