Photonics Layout Engineer (Onsite/Hybrid)What You'll Do:- Develop and implement layouts for complex photonic integrated circuits, from component-level test structures to large-scale system PICs.
- Translate photonic schematics and design requirements into efficient, manufacturable GDSII layouts.
- Implement dense waveguide routing, multilayer optical interconnects, and die- and reticle-level floorplanning.
- Develop and maintain parameterized photonic component cells (PCells) and reusable layout libraries.
- Create Python-based scripts and automation tools for layout generation, routing, and design verification.
- Integrate photonic and electrical layouts, including electrical routing, contact pads, and packaging interfaces.
- Perform and debug physical verification, including DRC, LVS, and optical connectivity checks.
- Collaborate with photonic designers, packaging engineers, and foundry partners to optimize layouts and support tapeout submissions.
What We're Looking For- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience in photonic integrated circuit layout, preferably in silicon photonics or a similar platform.
- Proficiency with photonic layout tools such as GDSFactory, IPKISS, KLayout, or equivalent.
- Strong Python scripting skills, including experience with layout automation or parameterized designs.
- Experience with photonic waveguide routing, component placement, and chip-level layout integration.
- Familiarity with silicon photonics foundry PDKs, design rules, and tapeout processes.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
Nice to Have- Experience with large-scale PIC layout, optical switching networks, or complex photonic routing architectures.
- Experience with multilayer silicon/silicon nitride photonic platforms and interlayer optical transitions.
- Experience developing automated routing, placement optimization, or layout generation algorithms.
- Familiarity with Cadence Virtuoso, SKILL, or electrical layout and EDA integration.
- Experience with photonic-electronic co-layout, packaging interfaces, or commercial silicon photonics foundry tapeouts.
Life at VoyantWe build frontier hardware & systems from our lab and office in Midtown Manhattan, where optical tables, lab benches and electronics sit alongside traditional office space. Our work is hands-on and primarily in person, but we don't run on a rigid 9-to-5. We partner with customers across time zones, so some calls start early or run late, and we adjust schedules around them. We run a high-trust, high-accountability environment: you'll own meaningful work, move quickly and often wear more than one hat. Voyant provides catered lunch every day at HQ, and we're a diverse group of food lovers from around the world who enjoy sharing food, culture and technical ideas around the lunch table.
