About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Position details (key facts)

• Location: Rome, NY (on-site; candidates must live in or relocate to a commutable distance)
• Employment Type: Full-time (Contractor + Full-time engagement per assignment)
• Clearance: Must be eligible for and maintain at least Secret-level access — only U.S. citizens may be considered
• Visa sponsorship: Not available
• Salary Range: $75,000–$95,000 annually
• Level: Entry / Early-career

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About the role

The Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Integrated Photonics Engineer I to join an engineering team supporting research and development of integrated photonic systems for quantum networks, sensing, and optical communications. This on-site role works at facilities in Rome, NY (AFRL / Innovare Advancement Center) under mentorship from senior engineers. You will gain hands-on experience with photonic device design, simulation, layout, and testing while supporting system-level integration tasks.

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## What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)**

• Assist with independent and team-based research to develop components for wide-area, heterogeneous quantum networks under senior guidance
• Contribute to the design, simulation, and optimization of integrated photonic devices and circuits for quantum information processing, sensing, and communication
• Support photonic circuit design that enables quantum algorithms and protocols
• Help integrate photonic components with light sources, detectors, and control systems
• Support system-level optimization for data transfer, processing, and quantum entanglement experiments
• Observe and assist in the tape-out process for integrated photonic circuits, working with fabrication teams
• Participate in design and testing using photonic simulation tools (e.g., Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL)
• Learn and apply layout software (e.g., GDSFactory, KLayout) to support photonic circuit design
• Build foundational expertise in integrated photonics and quantum technologies through hands-on work and mentorship

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## Minimum Qualifications (Required)**

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, optical engineering, or a closely related technical field from an accredited institution
• ~1 year of relevant professional or research experience; internships, thesis work, or coursework projects are acceptable in lieu of longer professional experience
• Basic familiarity with photonic device design concepts (from coursework, research, or lab experience)
• Foundational knowledge of quantum optics and quantum information science from academic coursework
• Demonstrated attention to detail and eagerness to learn fabrication and testing workflows
• Willingness to learn photonic simulation and layout tools on the job (Lumerical, COMSOL, ADS, GDSFactory, KLayout, or equivalents)

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## Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Exposure to integrated photonics fabrication concepts via academic projects or internships
• Familiarity with optical testing and characterization techniques (spectroscopy, microscopy, interferometry)
• Coursework or project experience involving quantum algorithms, quantum computing, or quantum communication
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in mentorship-driven teams

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Clearance & Eligibility

• Due to the work location and project scope, applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to pass a background check and security investigation required for, at minimum, Secret access to classified information.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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Work location & travel

• This is an on-site role based in Rome, NY (work performed at AFRL and Innovare Advancement Center). Candidates must be located within or willing to relocate to a commutable distance to Rome, NY by their agreed start date.
• Travel is not expected for this role.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $75,000–$95,000 per year.
• Benefits include health, life, disability, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with a 3% company contribution and 3% company match; generous paid time off (including a PTO birthday gift day); 11 federal holidays; paid parental leave; annual technology allowances; tuition/education reimbursement (policy rules apply); referral bonuses and other recognition awards.
• Flexible daily start/stop times for most projects.

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About the employer

This role is posted on behalf of a Confidential Client. The Confidential Client operates in the engineering space supporting advanced R&D, including quantum technologies, photonics, and related engineering disciplines. Projects are performed in collaboration with research institutions and government labs in the Utica–Rome region.

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EEO & additional notes

The Confidential Client is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Beware of fraudulent job offers — official communications will come from the Confidential Client domain and will follow standard interview protocols.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.