Senior Photonics Engineer - Homodyne Detection

About the Opportunity

Join an innovative deep-tech company developing advanced photonic technologies for next-generation computing applications. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of integrated photonics, quantum optics, high-speed optoelectronics and complex experimental systems.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Photonic Engineer to design, develop and experimentally validate advanced photonic systems. You will work with photonic integrated circuits featuring high-speed electro-optic modulators and integrated optical detection technologies, with a particular focus on high-efficiency pulsed optical measurements and the characterization of quantum states of light.

Key Responsibilities

- Design, build and upgrade complex optical experiments to characterize photonic integrated chips using continuous-wave and pulsed laser sources.
- Characterize and benchmark high-speed integrated optical detectors operating in the hundreds of MHz bandwidth regime.
- Develop new optical and electrical characterization strategies to meet evolving system requirements.
- Measure key performance metrics including detection efficiency, noise performance, effective bandwidth, common-mode rejection and cross-talk.
- Develop and improve signal-processing techniques for pulsed optical detection and advanced optical measurement systems.
- Stay current with emerging research and technology trends in quantum optics and photonic measurement.
- Implement and maintain optical phase-locking and stabilization systems, including control electronics, PID controllers and precision locking schemes.
- Design, troubleshoot and improve optical and electronic control systems for highly stable experimental platforms.
- Collaborate closely with PIC, electrical, mechanical and software engineering teams to support successful system and module integration.




- Produce detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, characterization reports and operational documentation.

Basic Qualifications & Experience
- Robust hands-on experience working in experimental optics laboratories.
- Knowledge of integrated optics, fibre optics, optical interferometry, stabilization techniques and noise characterization.
- Direct experience with optical homodyne detection; experience with pulsed homodyne detection is highly desirable.
- Working knowledge of optoelectronic detectors, transimpedance amplifiers, RF electronics and electro-optic modulator concepts.
- PhD in Quantum Optics, Photonics, AMO Physics, Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of relevant industry or research experience in areas such as quantum technologies, optical computing, integrated photonics or advanced optoelectronic systems.
- Experience with thin-film lithium niobate modulators, integrated photodiodes or other high-performance photonic devices.
- Strong expertise in pulsed optical detection, quantum optical measurements or characterization of quantum states of light.
- Ability to independently design, build and troubleshoot complex optical experiments and clearly communicate technical findings.
- Comfortable working with complex and rapidly evolving technical architectures.
- Experience using Python for instrument control, hardware interfacing and automated data acquisition.
- Strong mathematical modelling and data-analysis skills, using analytical and numerical techniques.
- Experience with advanced signal processing methods.
- Experience defining optical, electrical and physical interfaces between photonic chips and high-speed electronic components within advanced integrated or co-packaged systems.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

📌 Senior PIC Engineer - Homodyne detection (Greater Toronto Area)
🏢 Darwin Recruitment
📍 Greater Toronto Area