Senior Photonics Engineer

Salary & Benefits:             Competitive

Department:                      Future Systems

Reports to:                  Team Lead, Integrated Photonics / Photonics Processing Lead

Job Type:                            Full time

Location:                             Austin, TX, Hybrid

About us

ORCA Computing (“ORCA”) is at the forefront of a new era in high-performance computing, developing full-stack photonic quantum systems designed to transform how organisations tackle machine learning, generative AI, and complex optimisation challenges.  Headquartered in London, ORCA has delivered eleven on-premises quantum computers worldwide – demonstrating that its technology is not theoretical but already delivering real world results.

At the core of ORCA’s innovation is its hybrid quantum-classical architecture, engineered for seamless integration into existing AI and HPC infrastructure.  Its current PT-2 system, a rack-mounted quantum computer, connects directly to GPU clusters via NVIDIA’s CUDA-Q platform, enabling accelerated AI workloads with significantly lower energy consumption than traditional silicon-based systems.  Backed by a strong portfolio of patent families spanning photonic integrated circuits, quantum memory, and multiplexing technologies, ORCA is enabling enterprises, research institutions, and HPC operators to unlock new levels of performance, efficiency, and scalability.

As ORCA prepares to launch its next-generation PT-3 system, the company is entering a pivotal phase of growth and technological advancement.  Its solutions are already being embedded into generative AI pipelines, delivering measurable improvements in model performance, while also addressing the rising energy demands of large-scale AI adoption.  With a focus on practical deployment and a clear roadmap to fault-tolerant quantum computing, ORCA is leading the development and deployment of quantum technology, providing a commercially viable path to the future of computing.

 

What you will do

• Determine the future direction for state-of-the-art performance across ORCA’s

  photonic component and platform roadmap

• Maintain knowledge of alternative photonic platforms, materials, and approaches across industry and academia to inform ORCA’s technical strategy and competitive positioning

• Design and optimize ultra-low-loss passive components and electro-optic (EO) modulators, pushing performance toward the state of the art

• Apply full-breadth technical knowledge across design, testing, fabrication, and packaging to support those teams on device physics and performance tradeoffs

• Partner with test, fabrication, and packaging engineers to diagnose root causes of performance gaps and identify paths to improvement

• Translate state-of-the-art targets into concrete design, process, and characterization requirements

• Represent ORCA’s technical position through publications, patents, and external partnership discussions

• Maintain thorough documentation and communicate technical direction to leadership and the broader team

What you will bring- required

• Industry or research experience in photonic integrated circuit design and device physics, with experience pushing component performance toward state-of-the-art levels

• Technical fluency across the full PIC lifecycle: design, fabrication, characterization, and packaging

• Knowledge of alternative photonic platforms and approaches (e.g., competing material systems, integration schemes) and their tradeoffs

• Proficiency with simulation tools such as Lumerical MODE and FDTD

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with experience diagnosing performance gaps across design, fabrication, and packaging

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical strategy discussion with leadership

• Must be based in Austin, TX, with hybrid work flexibility

Nice to have

• PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

• Hands-on experience with Si photonics

• Publication record and/or patents in integrated photonics

• Background in quantum photonics or quantum optics

Who we are looking for

• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively.

• Excellent communication skills, particularly in a commercial setting.

• Growth mindset, results driven.

• Enthusiasm for new technologies and interest in quantum computing.

Why join us

Joining ORCA Computing offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of quantum technology, where innovation is already delivering real-world impact. Across commercial, operational, and product roles, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to bring advanced quantum systems to market and help integrate quantum capabilities into modern AI and data centre ecosystems.

ORCA provides a rare chance to contribute to a pivotal moment in the evolution of computing. With a culture built on ownership, collaboration, and ambition, the company empowers individuals to solve complex challenges and shape how next-generation quantum technologies are developed, deployed, and scaled across industries – driving a more efficient and powerful future for AI and compute.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a brief introduction (one paragraph is fine!) to: careers@orcacomputing.com.