Metasurface Simulation Engineer

The demand for new datacenters and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck isn’t about bigger chips or more of them; it means rethinking the fundamental architecture. The industry's current path isn’t going to meet the need, so we took a different approach.

Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference.

We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. We have also been recognized on the EE Times Silicon 100 list for several consecutive years.

Join us and shape the future of computing!

Position Overview

We are seeking a Metasurface Simulation Engineer to play a vital role in advancing our state-of-the-art AI compute accelerators based on silicon photonics and free-space optics. This position focuses on developing simulation methodologies and conducting electromagnetic numerical simulations to design, optimize, and validate the performance of our revolutionary photonic architecture. You will work closely with a world-class team of theoreticians, physicists, optical engineers, and system engineers to model and iterate on system designs. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of photonic technology and thrive in a collaborative, innovative environment, this is your opportunity to make a transformative impact.

Location: Austin, TX. Full-time onsite position.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine simulation methodologies to model metasurfaces and photonic systems for AI compute acceleration.

• Design, set up, and execute electromagnetic numerical simulations using commercial software and in-house solvers to demonstrate groundbreaking AI compute functionality.

• Incorporate fabrication tolerances, process variations, and yield considerations into simulation models to ensure designs are manufacturable and robust in real-world fabrication processes.

• Perform statistical analysis and generate detailed technical reports to document simulation results and system capabilities.

• Present findings to both technical teams and executive leadership with clarity and precision.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate simulation insights into the broader system architecture and refine design iterations.

• Troubleshoot complex simulation models and optimize workflows for accuracy and computational efficiency.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field.

• 3+ years of hands-on experience performing electromagnetic numerical simulations for optical or photonic systems.

• Proven expertise with commercial simulation software (e.g., HFSS, COMSOL, Lumerical).

• Deep understanding of electromagnetic principles and their application to metasurfaces and photonic systems.

• Experience with large-scale metasurface array modeling, including Floquet analysis, diffraction orders, and free-space optical propagation.

• Deep understanding of vector calculus.

• Experience with scripting (e.g., Python) for automation of simulation setups and data analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to produce and present technical reports to diverse audiences, including technical peers and executive stakeholders.

• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with a track record of thriving in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments.

• Experience working independently to solve complex simulation challenges.

Preferred Skills

• Background in metasurface design or nanophotonic modeling.

• Familiarity with metasurfaces, spatial light modulators, or other advanced photonic components.

• Experience with open-source or custom EM solvers.

• Exposure to multi-physics simulations.

• Knowledge of AI hardware architectures or neural network computing applications.

• Hands-on experience designing custom electromagnetic simulation frameworks or high-fidelity metasurface models.

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on a game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative and brilliant team. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.

Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer:

• 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.

• Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery.

• 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success.

• Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.

• Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don’t.