Senior Design Automation Engineer

Flexcompute Inc. • Watertown, MA

11h • Remote

About The Position

We’re looking for a Senior Design Automation Engineer to join the PhotonForge team. This role sits at a unique intersection of physics and applications, software engineering, and AI. You’ll work across all three to extend our end-to-end platform for photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design.
PhotonForge unifies component simulation, circuit simulation, compact modeling, layout generation, PDK integration, and foundry handoff into a single platform backed by Flexcompute’s GPU-accelerated Tidy3D multi-physics solvers. You’ll build EDA tool integrations, develop physics-driven application workflows, and leverage AI to make photonic design faster and more accessible.
This is a remote position. Preference may be given to candidates based in the Boston area who are open to in-person or hybrid work.

Requirements

• Strong physics or engineering foundation. Degree (MS or PhD preferred) in electrical engineering, applied physics, photonics, or a related field. Working knowledge of Maxwell’sequations, waveguide theory, and semiconductor device physics.
• A few years of industry experience. You’ve worked in photonic chip design, EDA tool development, semiconductor process integration, or a related role.
• Proficient in Python. Comfortable building APIs, automation scripts, and data pipelines. Experience with C++ is welcome but not required.
• Familiar with EDA and PIC design tools. Experience with industry-standard EDA platforms and photonic design tools. You understand GDSII, DRC, LVS, PDKs, and compact models.
• AI-forward. You actively use AI tools and are excited about building AI-powered features into engineering products.
• A builder at heart. You’d rather build a working prototype than write a specification, and you thrive with ownership over problems that span physics, software, and product.

Nice To Haves

• Domain expertise in quantum photonics, RF/microwave photonics, co-packaged optics, or optical interconnects for AI datacenters
• Experience building connectors or plugins for EDA platforms
• Background in compact model generation, S-parameter extraction, or circuit-level photonic simulation
• Experience with agentic AI frameworks, LLM-based automation tools, or AI product development
• Contributions to open-source photonics or EDA tooling

Responsibilities

• Build Interfaces & Connectors to EDA Tools
• Develop and maintain integrations between PhotonForge and industry-standard EDA tools for layout, DRC, LVS, and schematic-driven design.
• Enable seamless round-trip workflows between EDA environments, PhotonForge, and Tidy3D simulation.
• Build Python-based APIs and automation scripts that connect PhotonForge to existing toolchains.
• Drive Physics & Application Workflows
• Work with end users on real-world design challenges in quantum photonics, RF photonics, co-packaged optics, or silicon photonics.
• Develop application workflows and reference designs across component simulation, circuit simulation, compact modeling, and layout.
• Leverage Flexcompute’s GPU-accelerated Tidy3D multi-physics solvers (tackling optical, RF, charge, and thermal physics) to build fabrication-aware simulation pipelines.

Benefits

• A front-row seat at the intersection of AI and photonics, two of the fastest-moving fields in tech
• The chance to shape how an entire generation of engineers learns to work with AI-driven
• simulation
• A collaborative, technically deep team that values curiosity and initiative
• Competitive compensation with equity of a fast-growing startup.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance.
• 401(k) Contribution.
• Gym allowance.
• Friendly, thoughtful, and intelligent coworkers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior