Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Researcher

Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Researcher
Santa Clara, California
Full Time
The Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Researcher will invent, develop, simulate, design, characterize, and validate advanced integrated photonic technologies. The role combines theoretical photonics knowledge, measurement science, photonic device simulation, PIC layout, and hands-on component testing.
The researcher will identify emerging technologies, develop innovative measurement concepts, demonstrate feasibility through hardware and software implementations, and collaborate with Keysight business teams to transfer successful technologies into commercial products.
This is an onsite position in Santa Clara, California, requiring a strong research background and a completed Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline.
Key Responsibilities

• Conduct theoretical analysis and photonic device simulations.
• Design and develop photonic integrated circuits, including PIC layout.
• Perform hands-on characterization and measurement of PIC components.
• Apply optical waveguide theory to analyze mode solving, optical confinement, polarization, and dispersion.
• Identify emerging photonic technologies and evaluate their potential applications within Keysight.
• Invent and develop new measurement concepts and implementations that can impact Keysight's businesses.
• Implement innovative concepts using hardware and software to demonstrate technical feasibility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Work with Keysight business units to transfer developed technologies into commercial products.
• Support technical problem-solving through research, experimentation, simulation, and measurement.
• Contribute to research activities involving optical and electrical probing of passive and active PIC devices.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Completed Ph.D. in a relevant field is mandatory.
• Relevant disciplines include:
  • Photonics
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Optics
  • Physics
  • Other closely related technical fields

Technical Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to conduct innovative research in integrated photonics.
• Deep understanding of optical waveguide theory, including:
  • Mode solving
  • Optical confinement
  • Polarization
  • Dispersion
• Hands-on experience in PIC simulation, design, and layout.
• Experience with PIC tools such as RSoft, Lumerical, Tidy3D, IPKISS, or KLayout.
• Extensive hands-on experience characterizing PIC components.
• Familiarity with die-level or wafer-level optical and electrical probing of passive and active photonic integrated circuit devices.

Communication and Collaboration

• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Self-motivated, innovative, and research-oriented.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate complex technical findings and collaborate with colleagues across different technical functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with script-based PIC layout.
• Familiarity with commercial PIC foundry tape-out processes.
• Experience in RF or microwave simulation and design.
• Experience with circuit-level simulation tools such as ADS, INTERCONNECT, or VPI.
• Experience with photonic or electronic packaging.
• Experience automating laboratory measurements using Python.
• Experience with instrument control and data acquisition.