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TFLN Team Intern – Photonics Design

PHI Lab

Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Posted on 10 Feb, 2026

Skills
No skill added

Job Summary
Engineering role focused on design and modeling of cutting-edge photonic devices that enable compact, low-power, and high-performance photonic microsystems. These devices are targeted towards broad application spaces, including sensing, communications, and computation.

Position Details

NTT Research Inc. is a leader in cutting-edge photonic technologies, driving innovation in telecommunications, optical computing, nonlinear optics, and quantum hardware. Our team is composed of world-class scientists and engineers developing next-generation optical systems; we aim to push the envelope at every level, from precision fabrication to system-scale design. We are now seeking a highly motivated and technically strong photonics design intern to join our team and contribute to the advancement of technologies based on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN).

As a photonics design intern, you will be responsible for designing, modeling, and characterizing integrated photonic devices and systems. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement innovative photonic components that enable cutting-edge TFLN devices.

Responsibilities

Design and simulate integrated photonics using open source and commercial tools.
Develop fabrication-ready layouts of photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Support photonics design projects, depending on experience and length of internship. For example:
- Optimize design of photonic components to build a PDK library of designs
- Build component models to facilitate simulation of PIC systems
- Validation of simulation models using measurements of fabricated PICs
- Analyze experimental data and iterate designs for performance optimization
Document and communicate research findings

Qualifications and Skills

Exceptional candidates will be considered regardless of background.
Experience with photonic component design and optimization
Proficiency in simulation and scripting tools (e.g. Lumerical, COMSOL, Python/Matlab).
Familiarity with photonic material platforms (e.g., silicon/silicon nitride photonics, lithium niobate, chalcogenide, III-V semiconductors).
Coursework in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, or a related field.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with photonic chip design (GDSII layout, PDKs).
Background in nonlinear optics or integrated photonics.
Experience simulating photonics with fabrication nonidealities.
Experience working with academic or industry foundries.
Pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in a related field
Availability for 6 month internship.