[Skip to main content](#main-content) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) [Hiring report](/reports/hiring/) · [All Western Digital jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/) · [Search jobs](/search/) Western Digital · Ulm, BW, Germany # Technologist R&D Engineer — Optical Design & Computational Photonics Ulm, BW, Germany Remote Full-time Design Listed on Western Digital’s official careers site. Posted October 5, 2026. Check that it is still open and apply there. [Apply on Western Digital’s careers site →](https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/WesternDigital/744000153492792-technologist-r-d-engineer-optical-design-computational-photonics) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) / [Western Digital](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/) / Technologist R&D Engineer — Optical Design & Computational Photonics ## Job description 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. We are looking for a Principal R&D Engineer to lead advanced optical design and computational photonics development for next-generation semiconductor and photonic systems. ### This role combines optical simulation, inverse design, electro-thermal modeling, computational optimization, experimental interpretation, and system-level co-development. You 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. ### What you’ll be doing Lead advanced optical and multiphysics simulation activities for next-generation photonic systems. Develop inverse-design and optimization methodologies for complex optical structures. Build scalable computational frameworks spanning optics, thermal, and electrical domains. Drive architecture-level tradeoff studies and system-level optical design decisions. Collaborate closely with characterization teams to correlate simulations with experimental measurements. Support co-development between devices, packaging, thermal systems, and photonic integration platforms. Develop reduced-order analytical models alongside full numerical simulation workflows. Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across optical design and simulation activities. Help define future AI-assisted computational photonics workflows and design infrastructure. ## Qualifications ### What we need to see PhD or equivalent experience in Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field. 8+ years experience in optical design, computational photonics, or advanced device simulation. Strong background in optical simulation and numerical modeling. Experience with electromagnetic, optical, thermal, or multiphysics simulation tools. Strong programming capability in Python, MATLAB, or scientific computing environments. Ability to connect theoretical modeling with experimental validation and engineering constraints. Strong technical leadership and communication skills. ### Ways to stand out from the crowd Experience with inverse design or optimization algorithms. Experience with semiconductor or integrated photonic devices. Strong multiphysics modeling capability. AI/ML-assisted simulation or optimization experience. Experience bridging device-level and system-level optical design. Demonstrated ability to solve difficult first-principles engineering problems. ## At a glance - Posted by the employer: Oct 5, 2026 - First seen by OpenNash: Oct 11, 2026 - Last checked: Oct 18, 2026 - Listed for: 13 days - Location: Ulm, BW, Germany - Work arrangement: Remote - Employment type: Full-time[Apply on Western Digital’s careers site →](https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/WesternDigital/744000153492792-technologist-r-d-engineer-optical-design-computational-photonics) ## More jobs at Western Digital ### [Engineer, Product Design Engineering (New Graduate / 0-2 Years Experience)](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/d7e2dc4b5b563357302b/) Amphoe Si Maha Phot, Thailand ### [Organization Effectiveness & Design Lead](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/3f82f2862087d4ad0ae5/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Principal RFIC Design Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/49b46194c31c9bb9b462/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Quantum Device Design Engineering Scientist](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/c03482362d68e88f5f08/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Real Estate Design and Construction Manager](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/f4dd3a490f17351152b6/) San Jose, CA, United States ## Similar jobs at other companies ### [Senior Technologist Datapath Design Engineer and Circuit Design Engineer, VLSI Design Engineering](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/sandisk/jobs/04c89e21c7a143aa3d7b/) Sandisk ### [Lead Infrastructure Engineer - Optical Network Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/jpmorganchase/jobs/20b6630c2e0b8abd2674/) JPMorganChase · Bengaluru, Karnataka, India ### [Sr. Optical Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/thermo-fisher-scientific/jobs/4beb9ead3f7925466036/) Thermo Fisher Scientific · Guangdong, China ### [Optical System Engineer, Senior Staff](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/qualcomm/jobs/e9c587b61c5f9cc36355/) Qualcomm · Ottawa, Ontario, Canada ### [Senior Optical Measurement Systems Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/jobs/15e1a0f19b2238fc1a34/) Microsoft · United Kingdom, Hampshire, Romsey OpenNash lists jobs from employers’ own careers sites and does not handle applications. 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