Senior Silicon Photonics Design Engineer

Italy (Hybrid)

As a Senior Silicon Photonics Design Engineer you will contribute to the development of advanced silicon photonics IC-based products. You will take responsibility for the design of complex photonic devices and interconnects, as well as systems-on-chip, from design through fabrication, testing and analysis. As a member of our silicon photonics design team, you’ll be working alongside other experienced and multidisciplinary teams and agile silicon photonics designers with strong records of delivering innovative photonic device designs and large-scale silicon photonics circuits.

The Senior Silicon Photonic Design Engineer will be responsible for the design and validation of the photonic IC in optical engines and will interface with mixed signal IC, substrate, packaging, and simulations teams to ensure system requirements are met for co-designed and co-optimized photonics chips. This also involves:

Owning PDK components impovements/development

Owning Tx and/or Rx PIC designs and communicating expected performance and PIC requirements to cross-functional teams. Evaluate optical link budgets, RFEO performance and power consumption, and verify performance compared to requirements.

Defining test requirements and collaborate with test team to prepare test plans that provide coverage and address requirements.

Owning and generating PIC performance documents to track performance across R&D and production design variants.

Evaluate new design approaches and innovate on both device-level design and system-level optimization.

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or Applied Physics.


• Hands-on experience in silicon photonic device design, characterization, and modeling.


• Proficient withoptical and RF simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical, HFSS, ADS) and photonic circuit design.


• Proficient in Python with solid understanding of optics and electromagnetics.


• 3+ years of experience in silicon photonics design, testing, and characterization.

It would be nice if you had:

Expertise in design of high-speed modulators and photodetectors

• Strong lab skills in optical testing, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification.


• Programming skills with a solid understanding of fiber and integrated optics.

Some of our benefits:

• Flexible and hybrid working schemes


• A minimum of 90 days of Maternity and Paternity Leave, with the option to return to work within a year following the birth or adoption of a child (based on eligibility)


• Life insurance to all employees to provide peace of mind and financial security


• Well-being programs to support your mental and physical health


• Opportunities to join and receive support from Nokia Employee Resource Groups (NERGs)


• Employee Growth Solutions to support your personalized career & skills development


• Diverse pool of Coaches & Mentors to whom you have easy access


• A learning environment which promotes personal growth and professional development - for your role and beyond

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

At Nokia, we want every candidate to be able to perform their best. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know. All requests are treated confidentially.

• Job Category Applied R&D


• Posting Date 08/03/2026


• Degree Level Doctor’s degree (e.g PhD)


• Job Schedule Full time


• Job Type Experienced


• Job Identification 37938


• Will NSA/CAPS approval be required? (E.g., accessing a US Customer Network?) No


• Salary Range Italy salary range: 37,940 -87,620 Euro


• Locations Via Energy Park, 14, 32, 34, Vimercate, 20871, IT (Hybrid)


• Regular or Temporary Regular

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