Renan Moreira

About Renan Moreira

I am a photonics and quantum-technology leader with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and deep expertise in integrated photonics, microfabrication, and optical systems. My work focuses on ultra-low-loss photonic circuits, heterogeneous integration, and translating foundational research into scalable platforms with real-world impact.I currently serve as a Senior Researcher at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), where I develop low-loss integrated photonic platforms for optical and photonic computing. My research centers on platform-level loss reduction to enable scalable, energy-efficient computation and advanced system architectures.Previously, I co-founded and served as CEO of Ultra-Low Loss Technologies, leading the company from concept to execution and securing $8M+ in competitive funding from DARPA, DOE, NASA, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force. As Principal Investigator on multiple multi-million-dollar programs, I advanced record-low-loss silicon nitride platforms and pioneered heterogeneous integration of lasers, modulators, and detectors using micro-transfer printing.I have also worked at the intersection of quantum technology, photonics, and national security, delivering technical analysis and high-level briefings to senior U.S. policymakers across the White House, DoD, and Department of State, bridging deep technical insight with strategic and geopolitical context.Across industry, startups, and government, I build photonic platforms and lead technical teams to translate physics-level innovation into system-level technologies at scale. I also bring experience delivering rigorous technical analysis to inform policymaking, bridging the gap between advanced photonics and quantum technologies and strategic decision-making.

Experience

1. Senior Research Scientist

   Hewlett Packard Enterprise

   Dec 2025 — Present · Santa Barbara, CA, US

   Lead research and development of ultra-low-loss integrated photonic platforms for next-generation optical and photonic computing systems.• Drive platform-level loss reduction strategies to enable scalable, energy-efficient computation and advanced system architectures.• Translate device- and circuit-level photonics innovation into system-relevant architectures for emerging optical computing applications.• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams spanning photonic design, fabrication, and system integration.

Education

• The University of Texas at San Antonio

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Electrical Engineering

  2003 — 2008

• UC Santa Barbara

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Electrical Engineering (Electronics & Photonics)

  2011 — 2015

• UC Santa Barbara

  Master of Science (MS), Electrical Engineering

  2009 — 2011

Skills

• Thin Films
• Simulations
• Semiconductors
• C++
• Afm
• Sensors
• Nanofabrication
• Microfabrication
• Matlab
• Characterization
• Spectroscopy
• Optical Communications
• Metrology
• Photolithography
• Nanotechnology
• Verilog
• Mems
• Photonics
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Optoelectronics