QKD Chip designer

The QKD Chip Designer leads the conceptualization and layout of chip-scale quantum cryptography hardware. The primary focus is migrating large, bulky, table-top quantum optical setups (lasers, beam splitters, and modulators) into compact, manufacturable Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) or specialized silicon chips.

This hardware executes quantum protocols like BB84 or E91 to establish secure communication keys.

Key Responsibilities

 Component-Level Simulation: Model and optimize active and passive on- chip photonic components—such as waveguides, Mach-Zehnder interferometers, beam splitters, phase shifters, and grating couplers.

 System-Level Architecture: Design chip layouts that minimize insertion loss, manage optical/RF crosstalk, and maintain polarization or phase stability required to preserve fragile quantum states.

 Layout & Tape-Out (GDSII): Translate successful simulations into physical mask layouts using specialized Electronic Design Automation (EDA) and Photonic Design Automation (PDA) tools, ensuring compliance with foundry Process Design Kits (PDKs).

 Foundry & Fab Validation: Run industry-standard physical validation checks (DRC, LVS, ERC) and coordinate with external semiconductor foundries for chip fabrication.

 Hardware Integration: Work with electronic and FPGA engineers to integrate the photonic chip with high-speed control electronics, pulse generators, and single-photon detectors.

 Iterative Loop & Testing: Collaborate with the characterization lab team to compare experimental data from fabricated chips against your simulations, refining design models based on real-world yields and fabrication variations.

Technical Skills & Tools

 Simulation Software: Proficiency in electromagnetic (EM) and photonics solvers such as Ansys HFSS, Lumerical (FDTD/MODE), Synopsys RSoft, or Tidy3D.

 Layout & EDA Tools: Experience with KLayout, Luceda IPKISS, Nazca, or Cadence/Synopsys suites for generating GDS layouts.

 Programming: Scripting languages—primarily Python or MATLAB—for automated design sweeps, data analysis, and inverse design algorithms.

 Quantum Protocol Literacy: Solid grasp of quantum optics, single-photon dynamics, and standard QKD protocols (BB84, decoy-state, or continuous-

variable QKD).

Education & Experience

 Education: A Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or Quantum Engineering.

 Experience: Typically requires 2–5+ years of hands-on experience in PIC design, semiconductor tape-outs, or quantum hardware engineering.