Senior Photonics Engineer

We are looking for a Senior Photonics Engineer who can bridge our design and test functions and serve as a technical decision-maker across the photonics team. This is a hands-on senior role, in a startup this size everyone builds and tests, but the core expectation is judgment and leadership: deciding what to build, how to test it, and where to take the technology next.

You will bring several years of industry experience in integrated photonics, combining deep simulation and design expertise with the ability to characterize devices and interpret test data. Equally important, you will drive innovation through patent filings and help shape the technical direction of the company. We need someone comfortable making calls under uncertainty, mentoring junior engineers, and communicating clearly with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, simulation, and layout of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) building blocks, from splitters and filters to resonators and phase modulators, using Lumerical or equivalent tools.
• Own technical decisions on photonics architecture and guide the team through design trade-offs, from concept through fabrication and test.
• Define test specifications and validation procedures for inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, IMUs), pushing the limits of PIC characterization.
• Define and evolve the optical test architecture; lead electro-optical experimentation and signal processing campaigns to characterize and advance device performance.
• Design robust data analysis pipelines and measurement protocols (Python, MATLAB, C++) that translate raw device data into actionable engineering insights.
• Drive innovation by identifying patentable inventions, drafting technical disclosures, and supporting the patent filing process.
• Mentor junior photonics and test engineers, fostering a culture of rigor, curiosity, and ownership.
• Work closely with the hardware electronics team to integrate photonics and electronics subsystems.
• Direct procurement strategy for optical and electronics components, ensuring selections align with performance and cost targets.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations clearly to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• B.Sc. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Electro-Photonics, Physics (Optics), or a related field; M.Sc. or Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of industry experience in integrated photonics, optoelectronics, or a directly related discipline.
• Deep expertise in photonics, especially micro-optical resonators, waveguide design, and PIC building blocks.
• Proficiency in optical simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, or equivalent).
• Hands-on experience assembling and characterizing integrated optical devices and fibre-coupled components.
• Strong signal processing knowledge for electro-optical devices.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent technical decisions and guide a team through complex design and test challenges.
• Proven track record of innovation: patents, publications, or successful product development milestones.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to both internal teams and external partners.
• Highly meticulous and detail-oriented, ensuring design specs are met, documentation is thorough, and issues are resolved effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing and filing patents (utility patents in photonics or MEMS strongly preferred).
• Experience in cleanroom fabrication, MEMS, and motion sensor technologies.
• Programming proficiency in Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar for device modeling and test automation.
• CAD layout experience for photonic circuits.
• Prior experience in a startup or small-team environment where wearing multiple hats is the norm.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be permanent residents of Canada.