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Photonic Design Engineer
ABOUT LUMIAIRES LumiAIres is a Scottish deep-tech company developing neuromorphic photonic chips for edge AI applications. Our technology operates at the intersection of photonics, neuromorphic computing, and artificial intelligence, enabling processing speeds and energy efficiencies that conventional silicon-based architectures cannot match.
We are headquartered in Glasgow and are actively deploying our technology across three high-growth sectors: Aerospace, Defence, and Autonomous Systems. Backed by a world-class founding team and currently executing a seed funding round, LumiAIres is at an inflection point and this role is central to our growth trajectory.
THE OPPORTUNITY This is one of the most critical technical positions at LumiAIres. You will establish and own our photonic design function and the reusable design IP that underpins our entire product line: the layouts, building blocks, and tape-out know-how we reuse across every generation. Your immediate focus is our current flagship programme, LUMINA, designing the silicon photonic integrated circuits for our Gen 1 and Gen 2 neuromorphic photonic processors.
You will own the transition from photonic architecture to a manufacturable, foundry-ready design. You will work hand-in-glove with the Integrated Photonics Lead, who owns photonic packaging and the packaged-die deliverable; with our Applied Photonics Engineer on assembly and laboratory characterisation; with our Computational Photonics Engineer, whose simulations and digital twin inform the design; and with our embedded and software engineers on interfaces. You will also collaborate closely with foundry partners and academic collaborators.
This is a design-focused role: you own the photonic layout from architecture to tape-out, while photonic packaging sits with the Integrated Photonics Lead and lab characterisation with our Applied Photonics Engineer. As our product line scales, this role grows into ownership of the photonic IP library and design practices the company is built on.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The role is structured around four core pillars:
- Photonic IC Design & Layout
- Lead photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design and layout for our neuromorphic photonic processors.
- Develop and maintain the photonic layouts, including waveguide routing, optical I/O structures, photonic-electronic interfaces, and test structures.
- Own design verification including DRC, layout verification, and tape-out readiness reviews.
- Tape-Out & Foundry Engagement
- Prepare and manage MPW submissions with our foundry partners, driving the Gen 1 and Gen 2 tape-outs.
- Own process design rule compliance and effective use of the foundry PDK.
- Maintain the design records, interface specifications, and documentation that downstream packaging and integration depend on.
- Design–Characterisation Loop
- Work with the Applied Photonics Engineer and the Computational Photonics Engineer to fold measured results and digital-twin predictions back into design refinement.
- Support chip bring-up and validation from the design side, diagnosing and resolving layout-related issues.
- Collaboration & System Integration
- Work closely with embedded and electronics engineers to define photonic-electronic interfaces and integration requirements.
- Contribute to the architecture of future generations of photonic AI accelerators alongside the Integrated Photonics Lead.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- An experienced photonic IC designer with 3+ years in industry or advanced research, and a track record of taking designs through fabrication.
- A degree (MSc or PhD) in photonics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, semiconductor engineering, or a related field.
- Strong command of silicon photonics and integrated optics, and fluency in at least one PIC design environment (Luceda IPKISS, Nazca Design, Synopsys OptoDesigner, KLayout, or similar).
- Hands-on experience with foundry design flows and tape-out.
- Familiarity with SOI photonics at telecom wavelength, integrated lasers, photodiodes, and electro-optic modulation is a strong advantage.
- Experience with digital-twin-informed design and the design–characterisation feedback loop is welcome.
- Comfort in a multidisciplinary, early-stage environment where structure is built, not inherited.
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CONTRACT & PROGRESSION
- CONTRACT TYPE: 18-Month Fixed Term Contract
- LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland (Hybrid)
- SALARY: TBC per annum
- REPORTS TO: CTO (currently the CEO)
- POTENTIAL FOR PERMANENT ROLE: Yes — Glasgow or Paris (determined within the first 12 months)
- START DATE: To be agreed
This role is offered initially as an 18-month Fixed Term Contract. Subject to strong performance, there is a genuine opportunity to transition into a permanent position as the business scales.
WHY LUMIAIRES
- Work at the frontier of photonic AI, technology with the potential to reshape how the world processes information.
- A founding team with deep expertise in photonics, neuromorphic computing, and commercial strategy.
- Exposure to global investors, strategic partners, and government stakeholders from day one.
- A genuinely values-led company building for the long term.
- Flexible, trust-based culture with real ownership and impact.
HOW TO APPLY To express interest in this role, please send a CV and a short covering note outlining your relevant experience, any photonic designs you have taken through fabrication, and your approach to PIC layout and tape-out.
Applications and initial conversations are treated in strict confidence.
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