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NVIDIA's Mixed-Signal Design (MSD) Photonics team is building the next generation of co-packaged optical interconnects to power the world's most advanced AI supercomputers. We are looking for a Principal Photonics IC Design Engineer to serve as the technical lead owning our photonics integrated circuit (PIC) product — from architecture definition through production tapeout and silicon validation.
What you will be doing:
Own end-to-end PIC product delivery: architecture, design, layout, DRC/LVS verification, tapeout, and post-silicon validation on advanced silicon photonics platforms
Lead cross-functional execution across photonic device, analog/mixed-signal, packaging, and systems teams
Drive tapeout schedules, define design milestones, and resolve critical path issues across multiple concurrent PIC programs
Architect optical transceiver PICs integrating modulators, photodetectors, wavelength multiplexing, waveguides, and optical couplers for high-speed and/or DWDM applications
Define and improve PIC design methodology, automation (e.g., scripted DRC, parameterized cells), and verification flows in Cadence and related EDA tools
Mentor and technically guide a team of photonics designers; set technical direction for the photonics PIC roadmap
What We Need to See:
PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field with emphasis on integrated photonics, silicon photonics, or photonic device physics (or equivalent experience).
8+ years of industry experience in photonics IC design, with demonstrated progression into technical leadership roles
Deep hands-on expertise with Cadence design environment (Virtuoso, PCell development, SKILL scripting) for photonic IC layout and simulation
Proven track record of production tapeouts — you have personally driven PICs from design through GDS signoff on a foundry silicon photonics process
Strong understanding of photonic device physics: waveguides, passive/active components, ring/MZI modulators, photodetectors, optical couplers
Demonstrated technical leadership: setting project scope, making architecture tradeoffs, driving cross-team alignment, and delivering on schedule
Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd:
Experience with high-speed (>50 Gbaud) optical modulator or receiver PIC design for datacom/telecom applications
Experience with DWDM PIC architectures (MUX/DEMUX, multi-channel transceivers, wavelength tuning)
Familiarity with co-packaged optics (CPO) system requirements and advance packaging integration
Experience with photonic circuit simulation and CAD tools (Ansys Lumerical, ZeMax, Cadence, MATLAB, Python and Verilog-A) and electromagnetic solvers (FDTD, FDE, EME)
Track record of publications and/or patents in silicon photonics
You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.Skills Required
- PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or closely related field (or equivalent experience)
- 8+ years industry experience in photonics IC design with progression into technical leadership
- Hands-on expertise with Cadence design environment (Virtuoso, PCell development, SKILL scripting) for photonic IC layout and simulation
- Proven track record of production tapeouts and driving PICs from design through GDS signoff on a foundry silicon photonics process
- Strong understanding of photonic device physics (waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, couplers, ring/MZI)
- Demonstrated technical leadership: setting project scope, architecture tradeoffs, cross-team alignment, delivering on schedule
- Experience with high-speed (>50 Gbaud) optical modulator or receiver PIC design
- Experience with DWDM PIC architectures (MUX/DEMUX, multi-channel transceivers)
- Familiarity with co-packaged optics (CPO) system requirements and advanced packaging integration
- Experience with photonic circuit simulation and CAD tools (Ansys Lumerical, Zemax, MATLAB, Python, Verilog-A) and electromagnetic solvers (FDTD, FDE, EME)
- Track record of publications and/or patents in silicon photonics
NVIDIA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about NVIDIA and has not been reviewed or approved by NVIDIA.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Feedback suggests equity grants, stock options/RSUs, and a discounted ESPP materially boost total compensation and can deliver significant wealth-building when the stock performs well.
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Healthcare Strength — Feedback suggests medical, dental, and vision plans with in-network preventive care at 100%, telehealth, and concierge-style support are comprehensive and valued.
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Parental & Family Support — Feedback suggests up to 22 weeks fully paid parental leave, fertility coverage, and adoption/surrogacy reimbursement provide strong family-focused benefits.
NVIDIA Insights
What We Do
NVIDIA’s invention of the GPU in 1999 sparked the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics, and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI — the next era of computing — with the GPU acting as the brain of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can perceive and understand the world. Today, NVIDIA is increasingly known as “the AI computing company.”
