Photonics recruitment
Photonics recruitment for startups building with light
NeoSilicon is a specialist recruitment partner for photonics startups and scale-ups across Europe and the US — from silicon photonics and optical interconnects to lasers, sensing and quantum. We find the engineers, commercial leaders, operators and executives who turn optical research into products — most of whom are not looking at job boards.
Why startups use a photonics specialist
Photonics talent is scarce and scattered — across research institutes, large optical and telecom companies, and hyperscaler labs. Few people have taken a photonic chip from simulation through foundry runs to a packaged, tested product. A specialist knows who they are and where to find them.
Startups also need people who can bridge research and commercial reality — engineers comfortable with less structure, and leaders who have scaled optical hardware from prototype to production. That fit is as important as the technical match.
Photonics recruitment in the US
We run US searches for photonics startups across Boston, Tucson, Rochester, the Bay Area and San Diego — for US-founded companies and for European startups building their first US team.
With CHIPS Act investment pulling engineers towards large fabs, startups need a sharper pitch and a targeted approach.Read our guide to the US talent shortage →
Roles we recruit
Engineering
- — Silicon photonics & PIC design
- — III-V, laser & optoelectronic devices
- — Optical packaging, assembly & test
- — Photonics simulation & layout
Commercial
- — Business development & sales
- — Field application engineering
- — Product management
- — Partnerships & ecosystem roles
Operations
- — Foundry & MPW management
- — Supply chain & packaging partners
- — Quality, yield & reliability
- — Manufacturing & NPI
Executive
- — CTO & VP Engineering
- — CEO & COO
- — VP Sales & CCO
- — Board & advisory roles
How a search works
01
Brief
A direct conversation with the founder about the role, the technology and the stage you're at.
02
Map
We map where the right people actually sit — competitors, foundries, research groups and adjacent sectors.
03
Approach
Targeted headhunting of people who aren't on job boards, with a pitch that fits a startup.
04
Close
A shortlist you can trust, support through interviews and offer, and a hire that sticks.
Hiring for a photonics startup?
Talk directly to the founder about your next hire. No obligation, no sales pitch.