Photonic Layout Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Photonic Layout Engineer. Location: Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Job Type:

• Full-time
• Hybrid working is offered, according to the benefits section

Responsibilities:

• Design and lay out photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that form a central part of quantum processor units.
• Integrate photonic components into complex multi-layer chips to support on-chip light delivery and scaling to thousands of qubits and beyond.
• Arrange and route photonic components while coordinating with metal tracks and CMOS routing.
• Produce reticle-size photonic layout files using Python scripts for full-chip tape-out.
• Prepare layouts suitable for use by commercial semiconductor foundries;
• Collaborate with scientists to understand and implement their requirements.
• Work with photonic designers, test engineers, packaging engineers, and fabrication engineers to define design rules and shape component designs.
• Perform layout verification using DRC and LVS.
• Contribute to custom layout Process Design Kits (PDKs) specific to IonQ and its foundry partners.
• Document the layout process and final tape-out mask files.
• Help accelerate the tape-out of new chips and improve the integrated photonics design workflow.
• Contribute to the development of high-performance quantum hardware.

Qualifications:

• Significant experience designing and laying out Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs).
• Proficiency in PIC layouts.
• Familiarity with photonic device principles, including waveguides, beamsplitters, grating couplers, or similar components.
• Understanding of photonic device design, testing, and fabrication;
• At least 2 years of experience using Python software packages for photonic mask layout, such as Luceda IPKISS, GDSFactory, or KLayout.
• Degree in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a time-sensitive environment.

Preferred:

• Experience generating layout files for photonic devices or complex semiconductor devices.
• Experience working with custom layout elements.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and techniques for photonic and semiconductor devices.
• Experience with commercial simulation, verification, and layout environments such as Synopsys, Cadence, or Ansys.
• Strong programming and software skills.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Competitive salary.
• IonQ stock options.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Generous annual leave.
• Flexible hybrid working.
• Private medical and dental insurance for the employee and family.
• Career development opportunities alongside industry leaders.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Matching 401(k).
• Unlimited PTO and paid holidays.
• Parental and adoption leave.
• Legal insurance.
• Home technology stipend.
• Compensation varies based on education, qualifications, experience, office location, market data, and internal equity.

Other Information:

• IonQ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
• The position involves access to technology subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions.
• Depending on the work involved, candidates may need to verify U.S. Person status, obtain an applicable export license, or qualify under a license exception.
• Additional immigration-status questions may be asked for export-control and compliance purposes;
• Employment is subject to background and risk screening.
• Screening may include identity, employment history, education and qualifications, sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public records, and other legally accessible information.