Designer Integrated Photonics (f/m/x)

Are you passionate about driving integrated photonic technologies into innovative products? Then, leverage your experience to help us unlock the immense business potential of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) – a market that is growing rapidly due to the demand for AI, faster communication, and novel types of sensors. ZEISS has started a major strategic initiative to establish an interdisciplinary team in a dynamic and agile startup environment. The corporate-backed startup will benefit from ZEISS’s ecosystem and its expertise in the field of photonics. You will play a key role in the design, simulation, and characterization of photonic components and systems. In this exciting opportunity, you will design state-of-the-art photonic integrated circuits and contribute to the realization of complex photonic systems.

Your Role

Design and simulate integrated photonic components such as waveguides, modulators, detectors, and passive/active optical elements

Develop and optimize photonic integrated circuits using commercial software tools such as Ansys Lumerical and Synopsys

Collaborate with process engineers to define fabrication requirements for photonic devices and ensure seamless integration into production workflows

Work closely with optical packaging teams to ensure proper alignment and performance of optical components

Analyze experimental data and collaborate on the characterization and testing of fabricated devices

Stay updated on the latest advancements in photonic technologies, simulation, materials, and fabrication techniques

Participate in technical discussions and provide guidance on the design, testing, and optimization of photonic devices

Collaborate on the documentation of design processes, including preparing technical reports and design reviews

Your Profile

A master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, or a related field

2+ years industrial experience in integrated photonics design with a particular emphasis on Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and optical systems

Hands-on experience with photonic design software such as Ansys Lumerical or Synopsys is essential. Familiarity with physical simulation tools like COMSOL is a plus

A deep understanding of photonic principles, including waveguides, interferometers, modulators, and detectors

Knowledge of semiconductor fabrication processes and materials, including silicon photonics, III-V semiconductors, or other photonic platforms

Knowledge of optoelectronic integration and hybrid optical systems is highly valued

Familiarity with layout tools (such as KLayout) and experience in tape-out processes

Experience with the packaging and testing of photonic devices

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset

Very good written and spoken German and English skills

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Friederike Kirklar-Harms