Back to jobs
New

Senior Engineer, Photonic Design & Testing

San Jose, California, United States

Please Note:

To provide the best candidate experience amidst our high application volumes, each candidate is limited to 10 applications across all open jobs within a 6-month period. 

Advancing the World’s Technology Together

Our technology solutions power the tools you use every day--including smartphones, electric vehicles, hyperscale data centers, IoT devices, and so much more. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to be part of a global leader whose innovative designs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and powering the future. 

We believe innovation and growth are driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We’re dedicated to empowering people to be their true selves. Together, we’re building a better tomorrow for our employees, customers, partners, and communities.

The Sensor Metasolutions Lab at Samsung is focused on driving leadership in next-generation sensors, photonics, and imaging for mobile, wearables, and beyond. Our mission is to redefine the sensor hardware–software platform, maximizing performance while minimizing form factor and energy consumption through advanced nanotechnology and AI.

We partner closely with sensor pixel, optics, packaging, SoC, and AI/ML engineering teams to tackle the unique challenges of next-generation optical sensing. This includes inventing new photonic design, rethinking sensor architectures, and developing intelligent algorithms that extract richer and more actionable information at ultra-low power. At the same time, we explore emerging technologies spanning meta-optics, novel materials, thermal engineering, sensor-AI co-design, and on-device intelligence. Through continuous R&D, we ensure Samsung’s platforms remain ready for the increasingly complex workloads of vision, health, robotics, and future mobile experiences.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity for a talented and hard-working Photonic engineer to get involved in envisioning, prototyping, and implementing state-of-the-art optical products with a growing team. New hires will be responsible for designing, building, testing, and validating photonic proof-of-concept (POC) systems that integrate next-generation sensors, metasurfaces, nanostructures, and sensing modules. By pushing boundaries together as a curious, passionate, and collaborative team, we aim to deliver breakthrough sensing innovations that make devices more capable, more human-aware, and more sustainable.

Come join the Samsung SML team and enjoy building state-of-the-art photonic solutions! You will be required to work with local and international groups to successfully develop innovative solutions and products.

Location: Daily onsite presence in San Diego, CA in alignment with our Flexible Work policy.

What You’ll Do

-Design and develop highly efficient metaphotonic elements, devices and systems with machine learning, deep learning and/or physical models

-Design experiments, perform characterizations, and apply enhancements to our designs, and devices

-Development, implementation, debug, evaluation of algorithms and processing for real-time image and optical signal

-Create quick prototypes/modules with 3D printing and proof-of-concepts demo

-Develop and automate testing procedures (Python/Matlab/LabVIEW), calibration flows, and performance metrics for sensor evaluation.

-Work with the team to assist in the overall development of optical systems; developing and benchmarking system performance models and test evaluation

-Participate in design reviews of optical, optomechanical & optoelectronic components, equipment, and systems

-Maintain lab documentation and contribute to internal knowledge sharing (Confluence, Github, etc.).

-Publish research results in top venues and file patents

 

What You Bring

- Masters with 5+ years or PhDs in Electrical Engineering, Optical Physics or relevant fields

-4+ years of hands-on experience in optics, photonics, or sensor prototyping and evaluation (academic or industry)

-Experience designing and assembling optical test setups, POC modules, and experimental benches

-Experience with automation, scripting, and data logging using Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW

-Experience with Maxwell-solver (FDTD, FEM), Ray-tracing (Zemax, Lightools) and/or relevant optical design platform

-Good understanding of nanoscale optics, computational imaging and optical system modeling

-Basic knowledge about metasurfaces, nanomaterials, CMOS image sensor, and silicon photonics

-Hands-on experience with 3D printing, rapid prototyping, or hardware integration

-Background in computer vision, signal processing or deep learning for optical systems

-Familiarity with Matlab, Python and deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)

-Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

-Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

 

#LI-VL1

What We Offer
The pay range below is for all roles at this level across all US locations and functions. Individual pay rates depend on a number of factors—including the role’s function and location, as well as the individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, education, and training. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance. 

This is in addition to our diverse package of benefits centered around the wellbeing of our employees and their loved ones. In addition to the usual Medical/Dental/Vision/401k, our inclusive rewards plan empowers our people to care for their whole selves. An investment in your future is an investment in ours.

Give Back With a charitable giving match and frequent opportunities to get involved, we take an active role in supporting the community.
Enjoy Time Away You’ll start with 4+ weeks of paid time off a year, plus holidays and sick leave, to rest and recharge.
Care for Family Whatever family means to you, we want to support you along the way—including a stipend for fertility care or adoption, medical travel support, and virtual vet care for your fur babies.
Prioritize Emotional Wellness With on-demand apps and free confidential therapy sessions, you’ll have support no matter where you are.
Stay Fit Eating well and being active are important parts of a healthy life. Our onsite Café and gym, plus virtual classes, make it easier.
Embrace Flexibility Benefits are best when you have the space to use them. That’s why we facilitate a flexible environment so you can find the right balance for you.

Base Pay Range

$119,200 - $178,800 USD

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy 

Samsung Semiconductor takes pride in being an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered to excel, regardless of race, religion, color, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, or veteran status.

When selecting team members, we prioritize talent and qualities such as humility, kindness, and dedication. We extend comprehensive accommodations throughout our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long-term conditions, neurodivergent individuals, or those requiring pregnancy-related support. All candidates scheduled for an interview will receive guidance on requesting accommodations.

Recruiting Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes. Only authorized recruitment agencies that have a current and valid agreement with Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. are permitted to submit resumes for any job openings.

Applicant AI Use Policy 

At Samsung Semiconductor, we support innovation and technology. However, to ensure a fair and authentic assessment, we prohibit the use of generative AI tools to misrepresent a candidate's true skills and qualifications. Permitted uses are limited to basic preparation, grammar, and research, but all submitted content and interview responses must reflect the candidate’s genuine abilities and experience. Violation of this policy may result in immediate disqualification from the hiring process.  

Applicant Privacy Policy
https://semiconductor.samsung.com/about-us/careers/us/privacy/

 

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Samsung Semiconductor? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Employment

Select...
Select...

Education

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
How did you learn about Samsung Semiconductor Inc.? Select all that apply. *

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Samsung Semiconductor’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.