{"id":1907505,"url":"https://alion.io/job/western-digital-technologist-rd-engineer-optical-design-computational-photonics","title":"Technologist R&D Engineer — Optical Design & Computational Photonics","company":{"id":8924,"name":"Western Digital","domain":"wdc.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/wdc","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"SmartRecruiters","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":12,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":37,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"remote","remote_scope":"stated_countries","remote_scope_basis":"board_field","remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Ulm, Germany"],"countries":["DE"],"hiring_countries":["DE"],"hiring_countries_total":1,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":96000,"max_usd":182000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_cell","sample_n":10},"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-05T12:58:30Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-05","last_verified_at":"2026-10-18T06:56:51Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":12,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":12},"description":"WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.\nAs AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.\nWe combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.\nThis isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.\nWe’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.\nJoin us and let’s shape the future of data.\n The next era of intelligent systems will require entirely new approaches to photonic device design, optical architectures, simulation, and system integration. Solving these problems demands deep physical intuition, advanced computational modeling, and the ability to bridge simulation with experimental reality.\nWe are looking for a Principal R&D Engineer to lead advanced optical design and computational photonics development for next-generation semiconductor and photonic systems.\nThis role combines:\noptical simulation,\ninverse design,\nelectro-thermal modeling,\ncomputational optimization,\nexperimental interpretation,\nand system-level co-development.\nYou will define and drive the optical architecture behind advanced device platforms and work across multidisciplinary teams spanning device physics, packaging, process development, characterization, and system integration.\nWhat you’ll be doing:\nLead advanced optical and multiphysics simulation activities for next-generation photonic systems.\nDevelop inverse-design and optimization methodologies for complex optical structures.\nBuild scalable computational frameworks spanning optics, thermal, and electrical domains.\nDrive architecture-level tradeoff studies and system-level optical design decisions.\nCollaborate closely with characterization teams to correlate simulations with experimental measurements.\nSupport co-development between devices, packaging, thermal systems, and photonic integration platforms.\nDevelop reduced-order analytical models alongside full numerical simulation workflows.\nMentor engineers and provide technical leadership across optical design and simulation activities.\nHelp define future AI-assisted computational photonics workflows and design infrastructure.\n What we need to see:\nPhD or equivalent experience in Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field.\n8+ years experience in optical design, computational photonics, or advanced device simulation.\nStrong background in optical simulation and numerical modeling.\nExperience with electromagnetic, optical, thermal, or multiphysics simulation tools.\nStrong programming capability in Python, MATLAB, or scientific computing environments.\nAbility to connect theoretical modeling with experimental validation and engineering constraints.\nStrong technical leadership and communication skills.\nWays to stand out from the crowd:\nExperience with inverse design or optimization algorithms.\nExperience with semiconductor or integrated photonic devices.\nStrong multiphysics modeling capability.\nAI/ML-assisted simulation or optimization experience.\nExperience bridging device-level and system-level optical design.\nDemonstrated ability to solve difficult first-principles engineering problems.\n WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.\nWD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at  to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.\nNotice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. 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