Photonic Layout Engineer at IonQ / Oxford Ionics (College Park, USA or Oxford, UK)

Job Description

IonQ is hiring a Photonic Layout Engineer for the QPU Design team at Oxford Ionics/IonQ, based in College Park, Maryland or Oxford, UK, to lay out the photonic integrated circuits that bring light onto the chip in its trapped-ion quantum processors.

At a glance

• Role: Photonic Layout Engineer, QPU Design team
• Where: College Park, Maryland, USA, or Oxford, England, UK
• Experience: significant PIC design and layout experience; 2+ years with Python mask-layout tools
• Level: degree in photonics, physics, electrical engineering or similar, or equivalent industry experience
• Apply: open until filled (re-checked 11 October 2026)

About the photonic layout role

• Arrange and route photonic components on the chip, coordinating with metal tracks and CMOS routing
• Produce reticle-size photonic layout files with Python scripts as part of tapeouts
• Discuss requirements with scientists, and work with photonic designers, test, packaging and fabrication engineers to define design rules and shape components
• Verify layouts through DRC and LVS checks
• Contribute to custom process design kits (PDKs) specific to IonQ and its foundry
• Document the layout process and the final tapeout mask files

Delivering laser light through waveguides built into the chip, rather than through bulky free-space optics, is one of the ways trapped-ion processors can scale to thousands of qubits. This role integrates those photonic components into complex multi-layer chips, alongside metal tracks and CMOS routing.

What IonQ is looking for

• Proficiency in photonic integrated circuit layout
• Understanding of photonic devices such as waveguides, beamsplitters and grating couplers, including their design, testing and fabrication
• At least 2 years with Python packages for photonic mask layout, such as Luceda IPKISS, GDSFactory or KLayout
• A degree in photonics, physics, electrical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
• Strong collaboration and communication, and the ability to work independently and prioritise under time pressure

Nice to have

• Generating layout files for photonic or complex semiconductor devices, especially with custom elements
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and techniques

Pay and location

IonQ’s posting does not state a salary. The role can be based in College Park, Maryland, USA, or Oxford, UK.

How to apply

Apply through the official IonQ job posting. IonQ’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 11 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.

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