MP
Photonic System Maverick (Engineer)
Accepting applicationsMavericks Photonics · San Francisco, CA
Full-Time Mid_senior AnalogSPICEanalogmixed-signal
Posted
1d ago
Category
Design
Experience
Mid_senior
Country
United States
Final version:
About Mavericks
At Mavericks Photonics, a Stanford spin-off, we believe the future of integrated sensor technologies is all-optical. We are building advanced photonic-integrated inertial and perception sensors to target assured navigation and situational awareness in GPS-denied and remote environments. Current chip-scale electronic systems lack the precision and stability needed for extended autonomous missions or external-source localization, and high-performance alternatives are too heavy and expensive for large-scale deployment. Our chip-scale interferometric structures overcome the intrinsic noise limitations of traditional systems and have demonstrated record-setting resolution in acceleration and acoustic sensing. We are shrinking bulky, lab-grade instruments into matchbox-sized photonic systems for intelligent platforms to autonomously navigate and sense the world's most demanding environments.
Role Overview
As our founding Photonic Systems Engineer, you will lead the development of the compact opto-electronic system that powers our record-setting sensors and converts their output photons into information bits. This role spans the entire sensor pipeline, from optical sources to detection, digitization, and processing systems.
This is a hands-on role that requires a strong knowledge of optical measurement techniques and the design of low-noise detection and processing electronics. You will work with the founding team at our San Francisco headquarters to build prototypes and calibrate their sensitivity, noise, and drift. The system you build will fly to the stratosphere within a year.
Key Responsibilities
Interrogation system design: Design & build the opto-electronic architecture powering our photonic sensor chips.
Analog & mixed-signal circuit design: Design, simulate & build low-noise optical receivers, digitizers, and control circuits.
System calibration: Characterize and calibrate the integrated system’s sensitivity, noise, and drift.
Noise mitigation: Identify and mitigate sources of optical & electronic noise, and thermal drifts.
Flight prototyping: Prepare the first flight-ready prototypes for high-altitude mission deployments.
Documentation & communication: Document the system from design to deployment and present your work.
Qualifications
Required
MS or PhD in Applied Physics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Solid foundation in optical interferometry (impact of source, optics, detectors, and electronics on performance).
Experience with low-noise analog & mixed-signal circuits, including simulation and PCB design (e.g., SPICE, Altium, KiCad).
Experimental background in building optical setups, collecting data, and tracing sources of noise and drift.
Strong teamwork, communication & presentation skills (both oral and written).
Preferred
Knowledgeable in micro/nano-fabrication principles for photonic integration.
Familiarity with opto-electronic packaging, including power & thermal management systems and CAD design.
Compensation, Benefits & Restrictions
Equity: 0.5-1.25% stock option grant (fully diluted), with additional milestone-based grants.
Pay: $100k-$150k, benchmarked to experience.
Health Coverage: Premium coverage for medical, dental & vision.
Time-off: Unlimited/Flexible PTO (15 days encouraged).
ITAR Compliance: Must meet ITAR "U.S. person" eligibility.
Show more Show less
About Mavericks
At Mavericks Photonics, a Stanford spin-off, we believe the future of integrated sensor technologies is all-optical. We are building advanced photonic-integrated inertial and perception sensors to target assured navigation and situational awareness in GPS-denied and remote environments. Current chip-scale electronic systems lack the precision and stability needed for extended autonomous missions or external-source localization, and high-performance alternatives are too heavy and expensive for large-scale deployment. Our chip-scale interferometric structures overcome the intrinsic noise limitations of traditional systems and have demonstrated record-setting resolution in acceleration and acoustic sensing. We are shrinking bulky, lab-grade instruments into matchbox-sized photonic systems for intelligent platforms to autonomously navigate and sense the world's most demanding environments.
Role Overview
As our founding Photonic Systems Engineer, you will lead the development of the compact opto-electronic system that powers our record-setting sensors and converts their output photons into information bits. This role spans the entire sensor pipeline, from optical sources to detection, digitization, and processing systems.
This is a hands-on role that requires a strong knowledge of optical measurement techniques and the design of low-noise detection and processing electronics. You will work with the founding team at our San Francisco headquarters to build prototypes and calibrate their sensitivity, noise, and drift. The system you build will fly to the stratosphere within a year.
Key Responsibilities
Interrogation system design: Design & build the opto-electronic architecture powering our photonic sensor chips.
Analog & mixed-signal circuit design: Design, simulate & build low-noise optical receivers, digitizers, and control circuits.
System calibration: Characterize and calibrate the integrated system’s sensitivity, noise, and drift.
Noise mitigation: Identify and mitigate sources of optical & electronic noise, and thermal drifts.
Flight prototyping: Prepare the first flight-ready prototypes for high-altitude mission deployments.
Documentation & communication: Document the system from design to deployment and present your work.
Qualifications
Required
MS or PhD in Applied Physics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Solid foundation in optical interferometry (impact of source, optics, detectors, and electronics on performance).
Experience with low-noise analog & mixed-signal circuits, including simulation and PCB design (e.g., SPICE, Altium, KiCad).
Experimental background in building optical setups, collecting data, and tracing sources of noise and drift.
Strong teamwork, communication & presentation skills (both oral and written).
Preferred
Knowledgeable in micro/nano-fabrication principles for photonic integration.
Familiarity with opto-electronic packaging, including power & thermal management systems and CAD design.
Compensation, Benefits & Restrictions
Equity: 0.5-1.25% stock option grant (fully diluted), with additional milestone-based grants.
Pay: $100k-$150k, benchmarked to experience.
Health Coverage: Premium coverage for medical, dental & vision.
Time-off: Unlimited/Flexible PTO (15 days encouraged).
ITAR Compliance: Must meet ITAR "U.S. person" eligibility.
Show more Show less