Photonics AI Engineer - Layout & Verification

Job Description

Job Title: Photonics AI Engineer - Layout & Verification. Location: Santa Clara, California, USA

Responsibilities:

• Own the complete GDS/OASIS mask layout process for test structures, path-finding vehicles, and production tapeouts.

• Convert circuit schematics and component libraries into hierarchical, verified device layouts using scripted layout frameworks.

• Manage the process from Process Design Kit (PDK) to tapeout, ensuring a fast and repeatable workflow from released building blocks to a signed-off mask set.

• Develop automated routing, floorplanning, and assembly tools for large-scale photonic circuits, minimizing routing loss and footprint;

• Lead physical verification, including Design Rule Checking (DRC), Layout Versus Schematic (LVS), connectivity and netlist integrity, custom rule decks, and mask data preparation.
• Build agentic AI tools for layout and verification, including:
  • Generating and refactoring layout code.
  • Identifying and triaging DRC violations.
  • Generating test-structure and Design of Experiments (DOE) arrays.
  • Reconciling schematics against layouts.
  • Assembling tapeout review packages.

• Manage the tapeout process, including reticle floorplanning, checklists, sign-off criteria, and submissions to foundry partners.

• Design test structures and on-chip monitors to ensure fabricated wafers provide useful feedback to the design team;

• Collaborate with component designers, fabrication engineers, and test engineers to align layout practices with process capabilities.

• Automate layout generation and verification workflows to meet demanding production schedules.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

• Strong experience with scripted photonic mask design and layout using gdsfactory, IPKISS, KLayout, or similar frameworks.

• Experience participating in multiple tapeouts, with direct ownership of layout, verification, and sign-off.

• Experience generating production layouts in GDSII/OASIS for dedicated full mask sets.

• Strong understanding of physical verification, including DRC and LVS using foundry-provided and custom rule decks.

• Experience working with a PDK or reusable layout component libraries;

• Strong Python programming skills, including testing, code review, and version control.

• Proficiency with modern AI tools, including coding agents, LLM-driven automation, or agentic pipelines, and a track record of building custom tools.

• Ability to adopt new AI capabilities and adapt workflows accordingly.

• Attention to detail and sound judgment when prioritizing verification checks under schedule pressure.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strict external deadlines.

Preferred:

• Master's or PhD in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

• Experience building agentic systems or AI tools for technical applications.

• Experience applying LLMs or machine learning to electronic design automation (EDA) problems, such as layout generation, verification triage, or design-data extraction.

• Experience with automated routing or placement for large-scale photonic integrated circuits.

• Experience with mask data preparation, custom filler patterns, and multilayer reticle floorplanning.

• Experience with schematic-driven layout and photonic circuit simulation;

• Experience coordinating tapeouts with foundry partners.

• Familiarity with quantum photonics or quantum computing hardware.

• Interest in applying AI and machine learning to design automation. Previous hands-on experience in any domain is an advantage.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary: $160,000 to $210,000 USD per year.

• Equity eligibility.

• Employee benefits.

• Base salary will depend on location, experience, and internal compensation benchmarks.

Other Information:

• This is a newly created position at Xanadu.

• Xanadu uses Python, scripted layout frameworks such as gdsfactory and IPKISS, GitHub, Docker, cloud computing, and agentic AI tools.

• Xanadu is committed to equal opportunity employment and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

• The company supports an inclusive, safe, equitable, and accessible workplace. Candidates requiring accommodations during recruitment can contact recruiting@xanadu.ai.

• AI tools may be used to assist with application screening and assessment. Final hiring decisions are made by humans.