Senior Photonics Process Engineer

HyperLight is at the forefront of the commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics - a material and process technology that is enabling high-performance, scalable optical components across AI/datacom infrastructure, hyperscale computing, quantum computing, sensing, and more. Founded in 2018 and backed by leading venture capital, we've built a team and a platform focused on real-world mass deployment of TFLN photonics technology.

At the core of our work is the TFLN Chiplet™ platform — a modular, integrated architecture designed for scalability, manufacturability, and seamless integration into complex systems. It offers a rare combination of extraordinary performance and industrial readiness, enabling system developers across applications to deploy the technology fast and ready. We partner with our customers and suppliers from conceptualization, design, and prototyping phases, all the way through mass production to ensure smooth and rapid deployment of TFLN photonic technology.

If you are interested in pushing the limits of integrated photonics devices and revolutionizing their applications through hardware and process innovation, we are looking for you to join HyperLight's growing team as a Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer. This role bridges fabrication process development for our emerging applications customer market with the opportunity for direct customer interaction. We are seeking highly motivated individuals who enjoy problem solving and will thrive in a collaborative environment.

Join us to make a real-world impact in a fast-paced, collaborative, and high-growth environment!

As a Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer, you will be a key player in driving the development, optimization, and scaling of fabrication processes on the TFLN platform, working closely with customers from quantum computing and other emerging applications to understand their needs and translating them practically to scalable fabrication processes. You will take ownership of advanced process node development, manage and execute complex process variations for performance improvement, and ensure that customer needs are met with timely execution. You will have the opportunity to work cross-functionally within HyperLight and interface with both customers and suppliers.

As part of your responsibilities, you will:

• Explore, define, and optimize next-generation and custom fabrication processes for a high performance TFLN PIC platform
• Work closely with both customers and suppliers in developing processes to meet both near- and long-term performance metrics
• Coordinate with internal teams across design, test, and production for management of development tapeouts, production, and wafer-level testing

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Physics, or related fields (or Masters with 3+ years of experience)
• Experience in integrated photonics, semiconductors, or microelectronics fabrication
• Track record in developing and optimizing new nanofabrication processes, ideally with focus on improving optical propagation loss
• Previous experience with TFLN fabrication is preferred
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively
• Experience working in fabless companies is a plus
• Fluency in both English and Mandarin is a must
• Authorization to work in the US

• Competitive market-based compensation (Salary range $125,000 - $185,000 per year) 

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, vision, and dental plans for individuals and families 

• 401(k) retirement plans with employee matching 

• Paid Parental Leave 

• Life and disability insurance 

• Commuter benefits and subsidies 

• Professional growth and mentorship opportunities 

This role is in-person at HyperLight's office in Cambridge, MA. Authorization to work in the US is required. 

HyperLight is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. HyperLight is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during our hiring process. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact us at [email protected].