Device Engineer at Avicena Tech in Sunnyvale, CA

Avicena is a privately held company developing microLED based ultra-low power high bandwidth interconnects for chip-to-chip communications.  This technology will revolutionize High-Performance (HPC) and Cloud computing, as well as other industries where low power interconnects are critical like camera sensors, autonomous vehicles, and aerospace. Avicena is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with a development center in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 2019 by leading technologists from the optical networking industry with a track record of delivering breakthrough products.  (www.avicena.tech) 

About the role:

As a Device Engineer at Avicena, you will drive the design, fabrication, electro-optical characterization and qualification of GaN microLED devices at the heart of our LightBundle™ interconnect platform. You will translate device physics into manufacturable, high-yield emitters that meet aggressive targets for efficiency, speed, and array uniformity, working across the full stack from epitaxy and process integration to on-wafer test.

Responsibilities:

• Device design & modeling: Develop and optimize GaN-based microLED device structures, including epitaxial layer stacks, active regions, and contact schemes, using TCAD and analytical models to hit efficiency, bandwidth, current-density and reliability targets.
• Fabrication & integration: Define and refine process flows in collaboration with process integration and foundry partners; own device-level design-of-experiments from wafer to characterization.
• Electro-optical characterization: Design and execute L-I-V, spectral, modulation-bandwidth, and reliability-relevant measurements on single devices and large arrays; correlate results to design and process parameters.
• Performance improvement: Diagnose loss mechanisms (non-radiative recombination, sidewall effects, current crowding) and drive design/process changes to improve wall-plug efficiency and high-speed performance.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with epitaxy, process, packaging, test, and systems teams to align device performance with link-level and product requirements.
• Documentation: Establish device specifications, test plans, and technical reports; contribute to IP generation and internal design reviews.

Qualifications:

• Education: MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Photonics, or a related field (or BS with equivalent industry experience).
• Experience: 5–8+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor optoelectronic or LED/laser device engineering.
• Device fundamentals: Strong grasp of compound-semiconductor device physics, including carrier transport, recombination, and optical emission.
• Characterization: Proven expertise in electro-optical device characterization and data analysis (L-I-V, spectral, high-speed/modulation measurements).
• Process fluency: Working knowledge of semiconductor fabrication processes (lithography, etch, deposition, metallization) and their impact on device performance.
• Tools: Proficiency with data analysis and scripting tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and TCAD or equivalent device simulation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• GaN microLEDs: Prior hands-on experience with GaN-based microLED devices is strongly preferred but not required.
• High-speed / high-bandwidth LED or VCSEL device experience for optical interconnect or display applications.
• Experience with large-area or high-density emitter arrays and array-level uniformity/yield.
• Familiarity with heterogeneous integration or hybrid bonding to CMOS.
• Track record of patents or peer-reviewed publications in optoelectronic devices.

Compensation, Benefits & EEO:

Avicena offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, along with the opportunity to make foundational contributions to a category-defining technology. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and location.

Avicena is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.