Photonic Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Photonic Design Manager

Company: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc (AMD)

Location: San Jose, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering Management / Technology Leadership

Date Posted: September 01, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of silicon photonics design engineers to deliver high-quality, industry-leading photonics technologies.

• Drive the development and implementation of best practices for device design, circuit analysis, and Design for Manufacturability/Test (DFx) within photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

• Foster career development and growth for the design engineering team, reporting progress and strategic initiatives to senior leadership.

• Collaborate extensively with internal and external stakeholders to define and advance foundry technology and supply chain requirements critical for product yield and timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a management position within a highly technical engineering domain (Silicon Photonics). The responsibilities emphasize team leadership, process development, and strategic collaboration, indicating a need for strong operational oversight and technical depth to guide product realization from R&D through High Volume Manufacturing (HVM). The focus on DFx and supply chain collaboration suggests a GTM-adjacent operations component, ensuring products are designed for efficient and reliable production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of silicon photonics design engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment to achieve project goals.

• Oversee the end-to-end design process for advanced integrated silicon photonic devices, ensuring alignment with product specifications and market demands.

• Define, implement, and enforce best practices for Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) across all photonic designs to optimize yield and reduce time-to-market.

• Drive innovation by leading research and development efforts in novel devices, advanced optical architectures, and circuit designs within the integrated photonics domain.

• Collaborate closely with foundry partners, supply chain management, and internal cross-functional teams (e.g., product engineering, test, packaging) to ensure technology readiness, material sourcing, and manufacturing scalability.

• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, analysis reports, and process guidelines.

• Contribute to strategic planning for the silicon photonics roadmap, identifying future technology needs and opportunities for competitive advantage.

• Report on team performance, project status, technical challenges, and strategic initiatives to senior management and executive leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on people management and technical execution. The emphasis on "best practices for DFx" and "foundry technology and supply chain requirements" suggests a strong link to operational efficiency and product lifecycle management, areas critical for GTM success. The expectation to "deliver product-quality PICs for co-packaged optics" points towards a direct impact on product readiness for market.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field. Experience:

• Proven track record in managing engineering teams, specifically within the silicon photonics or integrated photonics domain.

• Extensive hands-on experience in the design, analysis, and development of integrated photonic circuits (PICs).

• Demonstrated success in bringing photonic products from initial Research & Development (R&D) phases through to High Volume Manufacturing (HVM). Required Skills:

• Subject matter expertise in integrated photonics with a deep understanding of device physics and optical communication principles.

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a proven ability to mentor, guide, and develop engineering talent.

• Proficiency in industry-standard photonic and electronic design automation (EDA) tools, including but not limited to:

  • Cadence or Synopsys (for electronic/layout aspects)
  • Ansys FDTD, MODE, HFSS (for electromagnetic and optical simulation)
  • TCAD (for device simulation)
  • EMX, COMSOL (for general physics simulation)

• Experience with photonic design and analysis software development, utilizing scripting languages such as Python or Matlab, or modeling languages like Verilog-A.

• Deep understanding of optical communication systems, from device physics to link architecture, including co-packaged optics applications. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with cross-disciplinary skillsets, including high-speed digital/analog design, test systems, optical control systems, hardware/firmware design, advanced electronic and photonic packaging, reliability engineering, and qualification testing procedures.

• Experience in developing and maintaining robust DFx methodologies for photonic integrated circuits.

• Knowledge of foundry technology processes and supply chain operations relevant to semiconductor manufacturing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is highly specific to the advanced technical nature of silicon photonics. The preference for cross-disciplinary knowledge indicates a need for a manager who can bridge gaps between different engineering functions, a common requirement in complex product development operations. The inclusion of specific EDA tools is crucial for candidates to assess their toolchain compatibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a history of successfully managed projects that resulted in the delivery of advanced integrated photonic devices or systems.

• Evidence of implementing and refining DFx methodologies for photonic designs, demonstrating improvements in yield, testability, or manufacturability.

• Examples of leading cross-functional teams or projects involving collaboration with foundries, supply chain partners, or other engineering disciplines.

• Documentation of strategic contributions to technology roadmapping or the transition of photonic products from R&D to HVM. Process Documentation:

• Documented processes for managing design teams, including performance reviews, career development plans, and resource allocation.

• Developed or refined workflows for photonic device design, simulation, verification, and integration, emphasizing efficiency and accuracy.

• Established protocols for collaborating with external partners (foundries, suppliers) and internal stakeholders to ensure successful technology transfer and product realization.

• Methodologies for driving innovation, including idea generation, feasibility studies, and prototype development within the photonics domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a management role in a technical field, a "portfolio" likely translates to a comprehensive understanding of and documented experience with engineering processes, team management frameworks, and project lifecycle management. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their methodologies for process improvement and team development, rather than a traditional design portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Engineering Management roles in Silicon Photonics in the San Jose, California area, and considering AMD's standing as a major technology company, the estimated annual base salary range for this position is likely between $180,000 and $250,000. This estimate is subject to variation based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

• Stock options or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of the compensation package.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education.

• Access to AMD's extensive benefits portal and resources, including wellness programs. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically 40 hours.

• Expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and business needs, which may include occasional work outside of standard business hours.

• This role is designated as Hybrid, indicating a blend of on-site work at the San Jose facility and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary for this specialized management role in a high-cost-of-living area like San Jose is estimated to be competitive. The benefits listed are standard for large tech companies like AMD and are crucial for attracting and retaining senior talent. The hybrid work arrangement is also a key factor for modern professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Semiconductor / Technology (specifically focused on high-performance computing, graphics, and adaptive computing solutions). AMD is a leading innovator in CPUs, GPUs, and APUs, increasingly expanding into areas like data center solutions and advanced packaging technologies, including photonics.

Company Size: AMD is a large, publicly traded company with tens of thousands of employees globally. This signifies a structured corporate environment with established processes, extensive resources, and significant market influence.

Founded: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. was founded in 1969. Its long history in the semiconductor industry provides a foundation of deep technical expertise and market understanding.

Team Structure:

• The Photonic Design team is likely a specialized engineering unit within a broader R&D or Product Development organization at AMD.

• The team will comprise highly skilled engineers with expertise in physics, optics, and semiconductor design.

• The manager will report to a Director or Vice President level executive overseeing photonics, advanced technologies, or a specific product division (e.g., Data Center).

• Close collaboration is expected with other engineering teams (e.g., electrical engineering, packaging, process technology, product management, testing) and external partners (foundries, suppliers). Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with emphasis on rigorous simulation, empirical testing, and performance analysis.

• Agile or hybrid project management methodologies may be employed to manage complex R&D and product development cycles.

• A strong focus on continuous improvement and innovation to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving semiconductor market.

• Emphasis on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) to ensure scalable and cost-effective production.

Company Website: https://www.amd.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: AMD's culture is characterized by innovation, a drive for high performance, and a commitment to solving complex technological challenges. For operations professionals, this means working within a fast-paced, results-oriented environment where efficiency, quality, and strategic execution are highly valued. The company's scale suggests opportunities for broad impact and cross-functional learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within technical management. It is a critical juncture for engineers who have transitioned from individual contributor roles to managing teams and driving strategic technical initiatives. The scope extends beyond technical design to include team development, process optimization, and cross-functional alignment, directly impacting product readiness and market success.

Reporting Structure: The Photonic Design Manager will report to a senior leader (Director/VP) within AMD's technology or product development divisions. This structure allows for direct influence on strategic technology roadmaps and resource allocation. The manager will lead a team of individual contributor engineers, acting as a direct supervisor and technical mentor.

Operations Impact: The success of this role directly impacts AMD's ability to bring cutting-edge photonic technologies to market. This includes enabling higher bandwidth, lower power consumption, and new functionalities in CPUs, GPUs, and data center solutions through co-packaged optics. Efficient design processes, robust yield, and timely product delivery are critical for AMD's competitive positioning and revenue generation in key markets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced silicon photonics, co-packaged optics, and related fields, potentially leading to Principal Engineer or Architect roles.

• Leadership Progression: Advance into higher-level management positions, such as Director or Vice President of Engineering, overseeing larger teams and broader technology areas.

• Strategic Initiatives: Lead R&D projects, technology roadmapping efforts, or strategic partnerships crucial for AMD's future growth.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into roles focused on broader product development, operations management, or technology strategy across different AMD business units.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to industry standards bodies, publications, and conferences, enhancing personal and company visibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Photonic Design Manager at a company like AMD is typically one of increasing scope and strategic influence. The role offers a clear trajectory towards senior leadership within technical organizations, with opportunities to impact company-wide technology direction and product success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is designated as Hybrid, meaning it will involve a combination of working remotely and working from AMD's San Jose office. This offers flexibility while maintaining opportunities for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is AMD's facility at 2100 Logic Drive, San Jose, CA 95124. This location is situated within Silicon Valley, a hub for technology innovation and talent.

Workspace Context:

• The San Jose office likely provides state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and engineering workspaces to support advanced semiconductor design and development.

• Expect a collaborative environment where engineers can interact with colleagues, access necessary equipment, and participate in team meetings and brainstorming sessions.

• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home, with structured on-site time dedicated to team collaboration, design reviews, and strategic discussions.

• Access to high-performance computing resources and specialized software for photonic simulation and design will be standard.

Work Schedule: While the standard workweek is 40 hours, the demands of R&D and product delivery in the semiconductor industry may require flexibility to meet critical project milestones. The hybrid arrangement allows for some control over scheduling, balancing personal needs with business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a key characteristic. For operations roles, understanding how to manage distributed teams and maintain productivity across different work settings is crucial. The San Jose location places the role at the heart of semiconductor innovation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter will assess basic qualifications and fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Focus on technical depth in silicon photonics, team management experience, and leadership style. Be prepared to discuss past management successes and challenges.

• Technical Interviews:

  • Design & Simulation: Questions on photonic device physics, circuit design principles, simulation methodologies, and tool proficiency (e.g., Ansys, Cadence, Python/Matlab).
  • DFx and Manufacturing: Discussions on implementing DFx strategies, understanding foundry processes, yield optimization, and transitioning designs to HVM.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Scenarios involving working with electrical engineers, packaging teams, supply chain, and product management.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Assessment of collaboration skills, cultural fit, and ability to mentor junior engineers.

• Executive Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership to evaluate strategic thinking, business acumen, and long-term vision for the photonics team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process & Leadership: As a manager role, your "portfolio" should highlight your experience in managing teams, developing processes, and driving successful product outcomes, rather than individual design files.

• Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies on:

  • A time you led a team to overcome a significant technical challenge in photonic design.
  • How you implemented or improved DFx processes to enhance yield or reduce manufacturing costs.
  • A successful product launch where your team played a critical role.
  • Your approach to fostering career growth and mentorship within an engineering team.

• Metrics & Impact: Quantify achievements whenever possible. For example, "Reduced design cycle time by X%," "Improved PIC yield by Y%," or "Successfully launched Z products ahead of schedule."

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your team's use of specific EDA tools and your own experience with them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Design Challenge: You might be asked to outline a process for developing a new photonic component, including key stages, required tools, stakeholder involvement, and risk mitigation.

• Team Management Scenario: Present a hypothetical situation where your team is behind schedule or facing internal conflict, and describe how you would address it.

• Technical Problem-Solving: Be prepared to discuss a complex photonic design problem you or your team encountered and the steps taken to resolve it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a management role in a highly technical field like this is rigorous. Candidates must demonstrate both deep technical understanding and strong leadership capabilities. The emphasis on process and leadership in the portfolio review is crucial for this level of role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Electronic Design Automation (EDA):

  • Cadence / Synopsys: For circuit design, layout, and verification, especially for any integrated electronic components or interfaces.
  • Ansys (FDTD, MODE, HFSS): Critical for simulating electromagnetic fields, optical propagation, and device performance in 3D and 2D.
  • TCAD: For detailed semiconductor device physics and process simulation.
  • EMX / COMSOL: General-purpose physics simulation tools applicable to photonic structures.

• Scripting & Analysis:

  • Python / Matlab: Essential for automating design tasks, data analysis, developing custom simulation tools, and post-processing simulation results.
  • Verilog-A: For behavioral modeling of analog and mixed-signal components, including photonic elements.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal AMD Tools: Likely proprietary tools for project management, performance tracking, and data analysis specific to semiconductor development.

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially Tableau, Power BI, or custom dashboards for reporting on team performance, project status, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how product designs feed into the broader product development lifecycle, sales, and customer support processes is beneficial.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Microsoft Project for managing team tasks and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a specific set of advanced simulation and design tools is non-negotiable for this role. The ability to automate processes and analyze data using scripting languages is also a key differentiator, demonstrating operational efficiency within the design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Excellence: A drive to push the boundaries of photonic technology and deliver industry-leading products.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively across teams, with foundries, and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Reliance on rigorous analysis, simulation, and testing to guide design and development.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for team performance, project outcomes, and problem resolution.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining processes, learning new technologies, and enhancing team capabilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with electrical engineers, packaging specialists, test engineers, and product managers to ensure cohesive product development.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing within the team and with stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving Focus: A team culture that tackles complex technical challenges head-on, leveraging collective expertise and diverse perspectives.

• Process Optimization: A shared commitment to identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements in design workflows and team operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: AMD's culture emphasizes high performance and innovation. For a manager in this role, fostering a team environment that embodies these values, coupled with strong collaborative practices, is essential for success in driving complex, multi-disciplinary projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Technological Evolution: The field of silicon photonics is advancing quickly, requiring continuous learning and adaptation to new device physics, architectures, and manufacturing techniques.

• Complexity of Integration: Successfully integrating photonic components with advanced electronic chips (e.g., for co-packaged optics) presents significant engineering challenges across multiple disciplines.

• Yield and Manufacturability: Achieving high yield and cost-effective manufacturing for complex photonic integrated circuits (PICs) at scale is a persistent challenge in the industry.

• Cross-Functional Dependencies: Managing dependencies and ensuring seamless collaboration across diverse engineering teams (design, packaging, test, etc.) and external partners requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Photonics: Opportunity to delve deeper into cutting-edge research areas like quantum photonics, advanced modulation formats, and novel light sources.

• Leadership Development: Access to AMD's internal leadership training programs, executive coaching, and opportunities to mentor other managers.

• Industry Exposure: Participation in leading industry conferences (e.g., OFC, ECOC, SPIE) and engagement with academic research institutions.

• Broadening Technical Scope: Exposure to other advanced technologies within AMD's portfolio, such as AI accelerators, high-performance CPUs/GPUs, and advanced packaging solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic and complex nature of the role, demanding continuous skill development. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for both technical and leadership advancement within a leading semiconductor company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing a team of highly specialized engineers. How do you foster both individual growth and collective project success?"

• "Walk me through your process for establishing and enforcing Design for Manufacturability (DFx) standards for photonic integrated circuits."

• "How do you balance the demands of R&D innovation with the critical need to deliver product-quality PICs for co-packaged optics on schedule?"

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a foundry partner to resolve a critical manufacturing issue that impacted product yield. What was your role, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you stay current with the rapid advancements in silicon photonics technology and ensure your team is leveraging the latest innovations?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AMD's strategic direction in advanced computing and photonics, and how would your team contribute to it?"

• "How would you ensure your team's work aligns with AMD's core values of innovation, customer focus, and integrity?"

• "Describe your experience working within a large, matrixed organization like AMD. How do you navigate cross-functional relationships?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around key management achievements and process improvements. Use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format for case studies.

• Focus: Emphasize your leadership in driving DFx, improving design-to-manufacturing transitions, managing team performance, and fostering innovation.

• Metrics: Quantify your impact with data on yield improvements, cycle time reductions, successful product launches, and team development metrics.

• Tooling: Be prepared to discuss your team's use of specific design and simulation tools and how you ensure proficiency and efficiency.

• Vision: Conclude with your vision for the future of photonic design at AMD and how you would lead your team to achieve it.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will probe both technical depth and management acumen. Candidates should prepare specific examples that demonstrate their ability to lead, innovate, and execute within a complex operational environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the AMD careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience in silicon photonics design, team management, DFx implementation, and bringing products from R&D to HVM. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your "portfolio": Compile case studies and examples that showcase your leadership, process development, and successful project outcomes, rather than just individual design work.

• Research AMD: Understand AMD's current product lines, strategic initiatives in photonics and co-packaged optics, and company values.

• Practice interview responses: Prepare for technical questions on photonic design and simulation tools, as well as behavioral questions related to team management and cross-functional collaboration.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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