[Skip to main content](#main-content) [ OpenNash ](https://opennash.com/) / [Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) [ 01 Search jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/search/)[ 02 Companies](https://jobs.opennash.com/explore/)[ 03 Hiring report](https://jobs.opennash.com/reports/hiring/)[ 04 AI assistants](https://jobs.opennash.com/connect/)[ 05 How it works](https://jobs.opennash.com/methodology/) Western Digital · San Jose, CA # Senior Technologist — Photonics Device and Systems R&D San Jose, CA, United States Full-time Senior individual contributor Research & Science Listed on Western Digital’s official careers site. Posted October 26, 2026. Check that it is still open and apply there. [Apply on Western Digital’s careers site →](https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/WesternDigital/744000157911459-senior-technologist-photonics-device-and-systems-r-d) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) / [Western Digital](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/) / Senior Technologist — Photonics Device and Systems R&D ## Job description The next generation of data storage and communications technologies will depend on photonic devices that deliver higher performance, greater efficiency, and tighter integration across optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical domains. We are looking for a Senior Technologist to provide technical leadership for the research and development of new photonic devices and systems for data storage and communications applications. This role combines deep photonics expertise, device and system architecture, experimental development, and cross-functional technical direction from early concepts through demonstrated prototypes. You will define technical direction, guide multidisciplinary teams, and translate emerging photonics concepts into differentiated technology platforms with clear paths to product impact. ### What you’ll be doing Provide technical leadership for research and development of new photonic devices and systems for data storage and communications. Define technology roadmaps, device architectures, performance targets, and development plans aligned with long-term business and research objectives. Lead concept generation, feasibility assessment, modeling, design, fabrication, characterization, and prototype demonstration activities. Guide technical tradeoff studies across optical performance, electrical drive, thermal behavior, reliability, manufacturability, packaging, and system integration. Collaborate with device, process, test, packaging, electronics, firmware, and system teams to resolve complex cross-disciplinary challenges. Establish experimental strategies and interpret device- and system-level data to accelerate learning and improve technical decisions. Identify external technology trends, research opportunities, intellectual-property opportunities, and strategic partnerships. Mentor engineers and scientists, drive rigorous technical reviews, and raise the organization’s photonics capability. Communicate technical strategy, risks, progress, and recommendations clearly to engineering and business leadership. ## Qualifications ### What we need to see PhD in Photonics, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field. 10+ years of experience in photonic device or system development. Deep technical expertise in photonic device physics, optical systems, and experimental development. Demonstrated leadership of complex, multidisciplinary R&D programs from concept through prototype validation. Strong understanding of photonic device design, fabrication, characterization, packaging, and system integration. Proven ability to make sound technical decisions with incomplete data and to resolve difficult first-principles engineering problems. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence technical direction across organizational boundaries. Track record of mentoring technical contributors and building alignment among diverse engineering teams. ### Ways to stand out from the crowd Experience developing photonic technologies for data storage, optical communications, or adjacent high-volume applications. Expertise in semiconductor lasers, modulators, detectors, integrated photonics, micro-optics, or optical interconnects. Experience bridging device-level innovation with system architecture and product requirements. Strong record of patents, publications, invited presentations, or recognized technical leadership in photonics. Experience working with external research institutions, fabrication partners, suppliers, or strategic technology collaborators. Demonstrated ability to create new technology directions and translate them into executable development programs. ## At a glance - Posted by the employer: Oct 26, 2026 - First seen by OpenNash: Nov 1, 2026 - Last checked: Nov 8, 2026 - Listed for: 13 days - Location: San Jose, CA, United States - Employment type: Full-time[Apply on Western Digital’s careers site →](https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/WesternDigital/744000157911459-senior-technologist-photonics-device-and-systems-r-d) ## Hiring at Western Digital - Open jobs: 338 - New in the last 7 days: After two weekly collections - Tracked since: Jul 11, 2026 [All Western Digital jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/) · [Weekly hiring report](/reports/hiring/) ## More jobs at Western Digital ### [Quantum Compute Simulation Scientist](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/04b4c70bcf82501d1f72/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Quantum Device Low Temperature Measurement Scientist](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/9d055751765c3e7cbfdd/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Associate, Corporate Development Analyst](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/4889658d1c7d80120d4c/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Chief Memory Chip Design Engineer & Architect](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/0009ddfe3dda566eb881/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Customer Failure Analysis Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/4717456340039146ac31/) San Jose, CA, United States ## Similar jobs at other companies ### [PMTS Silicon Photonics Device Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/globalfoundries/jobs/e2f89a4220ac307e92e9/) GlobalFoundries · Malta, New York, United States of America ### [Device Engineering Intern, Silicon Photonics (Summer 2027)](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/globalfoundries/jobs/ad4fbb3bfde5a264e8fb/) GlobalFoundries · Malta, NY, US ### [Principal Silicon Photonics Wafer Test Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/coherent/jobs/74dbef1ffdf71197d230/) Coherent · Fremont, CA, United States ### [Principal Silicon Photonics Design Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/coherent/jobs/d145f56ad033aa25e6fe/) Coherent · Horsham, PA, United States ### [Silicon Photonics Design Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/nokia/jobs/e7cd7ce82dc60bed6cdb/) Nokia · United States [Jobs in San Jose, CA](/locations/us/ca/san-jose/)[Jobs in California](/locations/us-ca/)[Research & Science jobs](/functions/research-science/) OpenNash lists jobs from employers’ own careers sites and does not handle applications. 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