Optical Engineer, R&D

Dream Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Vancouver, BC, developing advanced manufacturing technology for next-generation photonic systems. We are developing PICTORTM, a manufacturing platform that uses precision 3D printing to create high-efficiency, low-loss optical connections for photonic integrated circuits. Our technology addresses one of the central bottlenecks in advanced photonics: how to reliably connect light into and out of chips at scale.

Our work is directly connected to the future of AI data centres, optical modules, high-performance computing, quantum technologies, sensing, and defence. As AI infrastructure pushes beyond the limits of conventional electronics, photonics is becoming essential for moving data faster, more efficiently, and with lower power. Dream Photonics is helping make that transition possible by rethinking how optical interconnects are designed, manufactured, and packaged.

Backed by angel, venture capital, and strategic investors, and supported by active customer engagement and government funding programs, we are scaling from an R&D team into a product company. We move fast, build technology with real-world impact, and team members meaningful ownership of the problems they solve. If you are excited by the intersection of optics, semiconductors, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing, Dream Photonics is a place where you can help define the future of photonic hardware.

About Dream Photonics

Dream Photonics is a deep-tech startup based in Vancouver, BC, developing advanced manufacturing technology for next-generation photonic systems. We are developing PICTORTM, a manufacturing platform that uses precision 3D printing to create high-efficiency, low-loss optical connections for photonic integrated circuits. Our technology addresses one of the central bottlenecks in advanced photonics: how to reliably connect light into and out of chips at scale.

Our work is directly connected to the future of AI data centres, optical modules, high-performance computing, quantum technologies, sensing, and defence. As AI infrastructure pushes beyond the limits of conventional electronics, photonics is becoming essential for moving data faster, more efficiently, and with lower power. Dream Photonics is helping make that transition possible by rethinking how optical interconnects are designed, manufactured, and packaged.

Backed by angel, venture capital, and strategic investors, and supported by active customer engagement and government funding programs, we are scaling from an R&D team into a product company. We move fast, build technology with real-world impact, and team members meaningful ownership of the problems they solve. If you are excited by the intersection of optics, semiconductors, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing, Dream Photonics is a place where you can help define the future of photonic hardware.

The Role

We are looking for an Optical Engineer, R&D to support our optical design team in developing the PICTOR software solution. Our existing team brings deep expertise in photonic integrated circuits and chip-level design, and we are looking to complement that strength with an engineer experienced in lens design, free-space optics, or optical systems.

You should have a solid understanding of photonics and how light interfaces with PICs, lasers, and optical fibres. We are particularly interested in candidates whose deepest expertise comes from lens design, imaging, laser systems, micro-optics, or other free-space optical applications.

You will develop simulation workflows for PICTOR lenses used with lasers, PICs, and optical fibres. The role will focus on designing 3D-printed couplers and PIC coupling interfaces, as well as supporting the PIC layouts required to develop PICTOR couplers.

What You Will Do

• Support the optical design team in developing the PICTOR software solution by developing simulation workflows for PICTOR lenses for lasers, PICs, and fibre.
• Focus on the design of 3D-printed couplers and PIC coupling interfaces.
• Perform PIC layout, primarily for development of the PICTOR couplers.
• Author clear technical documentation, including test plans, SOPs, and technical reports.
• Collaborate with packaging and design teams to align on product iterations.
• Present R&D summaries and design results to internal stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, Materials Science, or a related engineering or applied science discipline.
• Relevant experience working in a lab environment.
• Solid understanding of photonics, including PICs and the optical interfaces between chips, lasers, and optical fibres or related photonics components.
• Experience designing and simulating lenses, free-space optical systems, micro-optics, PIC components, or related optical structures.
• Strong Python proficiency for data analysis, simulation, design automation, or optimization.
• Min 3+ of relevant optical or photonic design as well as simulation experience.
• Experience with optical and electromagnetic simulation methods such as FDTD, beam propagation, ray tracing.
• Experience considering alignment sensitivity, fabrication tolerances, and manufacturability in optical design.
• Proficiency with GDSII layout tools (KLayout, L-Edit) and foundry PDKs.
• Proven ability to author clear technical documentation (test plans, reports, or SOPs).
• Strong communication and analytical skills, with a track record of cross-functional collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with optical test equipment (e.g., lasers, power monitors, or spectrum analyzers).
• Experience with imaging systems, lens design, fibre-coupling optics, laser-based free-space optical systems, or optical-table setups.
• Direct experience with photonic integrated circuit design and layout.
• Experience creating GDSII layouts using KLayout, L-Edit, or similar tools.
• Experience using foundry PDKs and applying semiconductor design rules.
• Experience with silicon photonics packaging and hybrid integration.
• Experience developing software workflows for electromagnetic simulation or chip layout
• Understanding of silicon photonics packaging and hybrid integration assembly.
• Experience in software development for electromagnetic simulations and chip layout.
• Experience in an early-stage startup or fast-moving product development environment.

Personal Attributes

Required:

• Analytical Problem Solving
• Creativity / Innovation
• Clear Written Communication.

Preferred:

• Initiative
• Collaboration.

Location and Work Model

• This is an on-site role based in Vancouver, BC.
• Compensation: $90,000 to $130,000 CAD per year, depending on experience

Team Building

Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to our company’s growth. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the BC Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

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