Lead Photonic Integrated Circuit Engineer (Photonics & Quantum Integration) at Terra Quantum, USA
Job Description
Terra Quantum is hiring a Lead Photonic Integrated Circuit Engineer in the USA (hybrid) to own the photonics part of a hardware programme: photonic interconnects, integrated silicon photonics, single-photon source integration and longer-term quantum–classical hybrid compute elements. The role combines quantum photonics device physics with semiconductor process integration, and takes photonic integrated circuits (PICs) from proof of concept to manufacturing readiness, including layout and tape-out.
At a glance
- Role: Lead Photonics Integrated Circuit Engineer
- Team: Product
- Location: USA, hybrid (no city stated)
- Degree: PhD in physics, electrical engineering or a related field
- Posted: 17 July 2026
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 14 October 2026)
What the role covers
- Lead the photonics technology roadmap, with go/no-go criteria, risk registers and cost models for each process node
- Design, simulate and characterise photonic components (waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, single-photon sources) for the programme’s process flow
- Lead layout and tape-out: floor planning, waveguide routing, mask preparation and DRC/LVS verification
- Design PICs for communication, sensing or compute, and integrate them with electronics, packaging and test teams
- Model optical interconnect power, latency and bandwidth budgets for hybrid electronic–photonic architectures
- Scan the technology landscape across silicon photonics, photonic quantum computing and optical interconnects
What Terra Quantum is looking for
- A PhD in physics, electrical engineering or a related field focused on photonics, quantum optics or integrated photonic devices
- A record in experimental quantum photonics R&D: design, fabrication liaison and characterisation of photonic devices or circuits
- Deep knowledge of CMOS front-end and back-end process flows and how photonics integrates with them
- Experience moving research photonics towards manufacturable hardware, ideally in industry or a national lab
- Modelling and analysis skills (Python, C++, MATLAB or similar), photonic simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, MEEP) and Cadence Virtuoso layout
- A strong publication record and the ability to explain quantum photonics to engineering teams
Pay and location
Terra Quantum’s posting does not state a salary or a specific US city; it lists the role as hybrid in the USA.
How to apply
Apply through the official Terra Quantum job posting. Terra Quantum’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 14 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
See all our quantum technology jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Terra Quantum
Official advertisement: job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io
How to prepare for this application
- Prepare a PIC you took to tape-out, with the verification problems you fixed.
- Review single-photon sources on silicon and silicon-nitride platforms and how they are integrated with detectors.
- Be ready to build a simple optical link budget (loss, power, latency) on the spot.
- Ask which US location the team works from, since the posting does not say.
About Terra Quantum
Terra Quantum is a quantum technology company that offers hybrid quantum algorithms, quantum computing and quantum-enabled security. Its Applied Research team is building a quantum key distribution (QKD) system, with hardware work in its Munich and Potsdam offices.
