Senior Principal Photonics Engineer

Coherent Corp.

Senior Principal Engineer in the CTO Office at Coherent, defining advanced photonics technology directions and collaborating with internal teams and external partners. Focus on high-performance compute and communications infrastructure.

Posted 7/27/2026full-timeSanta Clara • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $127,875 - $223,813 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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.
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.
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.
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.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

🌐 Worldwide ❌ Jobs You've Hidden ⭐️ Saved Jobs ✅ Applied Jobs ✉️ Email Alerts 👤 Account Coherent Corp. Website LinkedIn All Job Openings 10,000+ employees Founded 1966 🏥 Healthcare 💼 Consulting 🎖️ Defense Healthcare
Consulting
Defense Coherent Corp. is a leading provider of lasers and optoelectronic components. The company specializes in delivering innovative photonic and optical products for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, telecommunications, life sciences, and manufacturing. Coherent offers solutions that include laser cutting and welding systems, optical transceivers, semiconductor manufacturing tools, and advanced illumination solutions for 3D sensing. With its technological expertise, Coherent supports both scientific and industrial applications, significantly contributing to advancements in AI, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Senior Principal Photonics Engineer Job not on LinkedIn 🔥 18 minutes ago 🏢🏡 Santa Clara – Hybrid 💵 $127.9k - $223.8k / year ⏰ Full Time 🟠 Senior 🧑‍💻 Full-stack Engineer Python Apply Now Find Hiring Managers Customize resume + cover letter Report problem ☆ Save ☑️ Mark as applied ❌ Hide 📋 Description
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.
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.
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.
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. 🎯 Requirements
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.
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