Senior Photonics Engineer

Senior Photonics Engineer
Location:
Montreal, CanadaSalary:
$80,000 – $120,000 USDPosition Type:
Full-Time (Must be a Permanent Resident of Canada;
no visa sponsorship available)About the Role
My client, an innovative high-growth hardware startup in Montreal, is looking for a
Senior Photonics Engineer
to serve as a key technical leader across their photonics design and test functions.This is a high-impact, hands-on role for an experienced engineer who brings both deep simulation/design expertise and characterization skills. Reporting into leadership, the ideal candidate will guide photonics architecture, define test protocols, drive intellectual property (patents), and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced environment.Key Responsibilities
PIC Architecture & Design:
Lead the design, simulation, and layout of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) building blocks (splitters, filters, resonators, phase modulators) using Lumerical or equivalent tools.
Test & Validation:
Define test specs and characterization procedures for optical components and sensing hardware;
evolve the electro-optical test architecture and data pipelines (Python, MATLAB, C++).
IP Generation:
Identify patentable inventions, draft technical disclosures, and support patent filings.
Leadership & Mentorship:
Guide technical trade-offs, direct component procurement, and mentor junior photonics and test engineers.
Cross-Functional Integration:
Partner closely with hardware and electronics teams to integrate optical and electronic subsystems.
Required Qualifications
Education:
B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics (Optics), or related field (M.Sc. or Ph.D. preferred).
Experience:
5+ years of industry experience in integrated photonics or optoelectronics.
Technical Depth:
Expertise in PIC building blocks, micro-optical resonators, and optical simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL).
Hands-On Skills:
Demonstrated experience in assembling, characterizing, and processing signals for fiber-coupled and integrated optical devices.
Innovation Track Record:
Proven history of patents, publications, or key technical product milestones.
Communication:
Clear communication skills with a detail-oriented, meticulous approach to documentation and team guidance.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience writing and filing utility patents (photonics or MEMS).
Background in cleanroom fabrication, MEMS, or motion/inertial sensor technologies.
Experience with photonic CAD layout.
Prior experience thriving in a startup or agile team environment.
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