Principal Engineer, Photonics Design

Intel • Folsom, CA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Intel Integrated Photonics Solutions (IPS) is pioneering the future of silicon photonics integration and commercialization. Since introducing the world’s first hybrid silicon laser nearly a decade ago, we’ve led the industry with breakthrough technology and scalable, high-volume manufacturing. Our mission: enable next-generation data centers and AI infrastructure through transformative photonics solutions. From 400G to 1.6T+ and beyond, we’re driving unprecedented bandwidth growth, smaller form factors, and advanced packaging to meet the exponential demands of data and AI workloads. Intel Silicon Photonics is the foundation of this transformation—and you can help shape it. The Opportunity We seek an exceptional Principal Engineer to lead silicon photonics component design and drive innovation in active and passive integrated photonic devices. In this role, you will: Lead and inspire a team of world-class engineers developing next-generation optical components for data centers and emerging applications. Shape Intel’s technology roadmap by influencing product architectures and defining future photonic solutions. Drive cutting-edge design of 112Gbaud+ photonic components, including high-speed modulators, advanced detectors, phase controllers, and next-gen active/passive devices. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless integration across design, performance, reliability, yield, and certification with Intel and Intel Foundry partners. What You’ll Achieve Deliver breakthrough photonic components that redefine performance and scalability. Set technical direction for Intel’s silicon photonics strategy. Lead innovation at the intersection of photonics, packaging, and system integration Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with 12 + years of industry experience. 6+ years in silicon photonics IC development from concept to high-volume manufacturing. 8+ years designing, simulating, and testing photonic devices in industry or research. Proven track record of taking photonic devices from concept to production. Deep expertise in silicon photonics device physics and design principles. Preferred Qualifications Technical leadership experience (leading projects or teams of 3+). Experience with 100G+ high-speed photonic components. Knowledge of advanced packaging and fiber coupling. Familiarity with foundry processes (AIM Photonics, GlobalFoundries, TSMC). Publications in peer-reviewed photonics journals. Customer-facing or product development experience. Exposure to advanced materials (BTO, TFLN, III/V), microring modulators, inverse design optimization. System-level link modeling experience. Proficiency with photonic simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, RSoft, or equivalent). Experience in device characterization and performance validation

Requirements

• MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with 12 + years of industry experience.
• 6+ years in silicon photonics IC development from concept to high-volume manufacturing.
• 8+ years designing, simulating, and testing photonic devices in industry or research.
• Proven track record of taking photonic devices from concept to production.
• Deep expertise in silicon photonics device physics and design principles.

Nice To Haves

• Technical leadership experience (leading projects or teams of 3+).
• Experience with 100G+ high-speed photonic components.
• Knowledge of advanced packaging and fiber coupling.
• Familiarity with foundry processes (AIM Photonics, GlobalFoundries, TSMC).
• Publications in peer-reviewed photonics journals.
• Customer-facing or product development experience.
• Exposure to advanced materials (BTO, TFLN, III/V), microring modulators, inverse design optimization.
• System-level link modeling experience.
• Proficiency with photonic simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, RSoft, or equivalent).
• Experience in device characterization and performance validation

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of world-class engineers developing next-generation optical components for data centers and emerging applications.
• Shape Intel’s technology roadmap by influencing product architectures and defining future photonic solutions.
• Drive cutting-edge design of 112Gbaud+ photonic components, including high-speed modulators, advanced detectors, phase controllers, and next-gen active/passive devices.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless integration across design, performance, reliability, yield, and certification with Intel and Intel Foundry partners.
• Deliver breakthrough photonic components that redefine performance and scalability.
• Set technical direction for Intel’s silicon photonics strategy.
• Lead innovation at the intersection of photonics, packaging, and system integration

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees