
Salience Labs, an Oxford spinout that has raised $88M, develops silicon photonics optical switches that give AI data centres all-optical connectivity between compute nodes. They're hiring a Photonics Design Engineer to develop high-performance components for next-generation photonic integrated circuits and future tape-outs, based in Abingdon on a hybrid basis. This hardware engineering role sits within the UK's photonics and semiconductor sector.
⌕ Job Overview:
This role will focus on the design, optimisation, and development of high performance photonic components for next generation Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), contributing directly to our future tape-outs and core IP roadmap.
You will work closely with photonics designers, layout engineers, and testing teams to improve the performance of integrated photonic devices through theoretical analysis, simulation, modelling, and design innovation.
This is a highly technical role suited to someone who enjoys solving difficult physics and engineering problems in a collaborative deep-tech environment. You will contribute to the development of key building blocks within our optical switching and photonic systems roadmap, and other integrated photonic components critical to future high port count architectures.
Depending on experience, we are open to candidates at Senior, Lead, or Principal level.
✎ What you'll be doing:
Design and optimise integrated photonic components for silicon photonics and related PIC platforms
Perform electromagnetic simulations, modelling, and theoretical analysis to improve device performance
Validate simulation results against experimental measurement data
Develop innovative component designs informed by current research and emerging techniques
Collaborate with layout engineers to integrate components into PDK libraries and tape-out flows
Work closely with fabrication and testing teams to iterate on device performance
Contribute to the development roadmap for future photonic components and architectures
Support long term improvements in PIC loss, manufacturability, and scalability
Participate in technical discussions, design reviews, and cross functional problem solving
Stay current with advances in integrated photonics through research literature and conferences
𓏗𓏗 What we're looking for:
PhD, or equivalent industry experience, in Photonics, Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
Strong theoretical understanding of guided optics and photonic device physics
Hands-on experience designing and simulating integrated photonic components
Experience working with silicon photonics or InP photonic platforms
Strong analytical and mathematical problem solving capability
A track record of meaningful technical contributions, whether through publications, patents, or shipped technology
Experience using photonic simulation tools and modelling workflows
Python programming experience for simulation, analysis, or automation
✧ Even better if you have:
Deep understanding of Photonic IC design and fabrication flows
Knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing processes
Experience working in commercial R&D or product development environments
Strong communication skills and attention to detail
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams
You will join a highly ambitious deep-tech company operating at the intersection of AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and photonics. We are building foundational technology with the potential to reshape the performance envelope of future AI systems.
Alongside a collaborative and research-driven environment, you will have the opportunity to work on genuinely difficult engineering problems with direct impact on product direction and company growth.
If you're excited by integrated photonics, advanced device design, and solving hard engineering problems at the frontier of AI infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you.
Salience Labs develops silicon photonics-based optical switches for AI data centres, enabling all-optical connectivity between compute nodes to overcome data-movement bottlenecks. Spun out from the University of Oxford and University of Munster in 2021, the company was co-founded by Vaysh Kewada, Johannes Feldmann, Harish Bhaskaran, and Wolfram Pernice. Its OC-32M all-optical switch delivers 10ns latency (20x lower than electronic alternatives) at under 1W per port, with 32-, 64-, and 128-port variants in development. Salience has raised $88M to date, including a $30M Series A led by Applied Ventures and ICM HPQC Fund. The company was ranked #28 in Sifted's AI 100 and #2 in Hardware. It is headquartered in Oxford with an office in San Jose.