Sr. Principal Photonics engineer

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The themes below are examples of early focus areas. They may evolve with CTO Office priorities and future Coherent needs.

• Advanced light sources for silicon photonics: evaluate source architectures such as quantum-dot DFB lasers PIC-enhanced approaches and comb-based sources against power wavelength control integration reliability packaging manufacturability and platform fit.
• Heterogeneous integration for active silicon photonics: explore integration approaches for lasers amplifiers pumps modulators and related active building blocks with attention to process compatibility yield thermal behavior reliability and scalability.
• Energy-efficient optical I/O: develop architecture options for high-density short-reach optical links relevant to memory-adjacent scale-up and disaggregated-compute use cases; compare parallel-emitter arrays silicon photonics and emerging emitter / receiver concepts using link-level and packaging-level metrics.
• Detector and receiver-side integration: assess photodiode-array and receiver-side technologies including SiGe PD array options link budgets bandwidth pitch integration constraints and packaging scalability.
• Simulation and analysis workflows: develop modeling methods that connect device-level behavior with link thermal packaging and system-level trade-offs to guide feasibility decisions and architecture choices.
• Quantum quantum dots and emerging photonics: assess selected advanced photonics and quantum-adjacent technologies that may create future opportunities in communications sensing or integrated photonics platforms.
• Internal alignment and transition: work with internal experts and business groups to translate early technical findings into project proposals proof points and possible transition paths.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Technical Assessment and Incubation

• Shape early-stage concepts feasibility objectives risk-reduction plans and prototype approaches for priority CTO Office topics.
• Lead technical evaluations modeling design reviews and trade-off studies with internal or external contributors.
• Develop technical recommendations on performance manufacturability integration path scalability reliability and transition readiness.

Roadmap Input and Technology Direction

• Contribute technical input to roadmap discussions in optical interconnect CPO / optical I/O AI/HPC infrastructure silicon photonics advanced light sources detector technologies and related photonics platforms.
• Translate emerging technology options into clear milestones risks decision points and recommended next steps.
• Connect future system needs internal capabilities external opportunities and business-group priorities into actionable technical options.

External Innovation and Partner Assessment

• Build a practical view of relevant startups universities research institutes suppliers and technology partners.
• Evaluate external opportunities for technical credibility maturity differentiation IP position integration path timing and strategic fit.
• Develop technology input for build / partner / buy discussions and potential collaboration opportunities.

Cross-Functional Execution and Communication

• Collaborate with CTO Office colleagues internal experts business groups and external partners to advance relevant opportunities from evaluation toward proof points.
• Prepare concise technical recommendations for senior technical product and business stakeholders.
• Represent Coherent in relevant technical forums partner meetings university discussions and ecosystem engagements when relevant.

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in Physics Electrical Engineering Materials Science Photonics or related field; Ph.D. preferred.
• 15 years of experience in photonics optical communications semiconductor lasers optoelectronic devices data-center optical interconnect quantum photonics or related advanced technology fields.
• Deep technical understanding of optical I/O semiconductor photonics III-V devices silicon photonics photodetectors advanced light sources and system-level optical-interconnect trade-offs.
• Experience translating ambiguous technical opportunities into architectures project scope feasibility plans risks milestones and technical recommendations.
• Experience with modeling simulation data analysis and technical decision support using tools such as Python COMSOL Lumerical Matlab or equivalent.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional R&D work across design process packaging reliability product and business stakeholders.
• Experience with technology scouting startup evaluation partner assessment roadmap input or external innovation engagement.

Skills

• Deep technical credibility with photonics optical interconnect device physics and advanced-development teams.
• Strong system-level thinking across devices process scalability packaging link architecture and product relevance.
• Ability to define clear technical directions from complex trade-offs and incomplete information.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to create practical project concepts before they are fully defined by customer pull.
• Collaborative leadership style and ability to influence across sites business groups and external partners.
• Clear communication with senior technical product and business audiences.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid role with collaboration across Coherent sites CTO Office colleagues and business groups.
• Periodic travel to startups universities partners and Coherent sites; US and Asia travel as needed.
• Combination of independent technical analysis cross-functional collaboration project leadership and external ecosystem engagement.

Physical Requirements

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Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

CultureCommitment

Ensure adherence to companys values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex gender identity sexual orientation race color religion national origin disability protected Veteran status age or any other characteristic protected by law.