Co-Founder

OceanTech Photonics; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering photonics company in Halifax seeks a Co-Founder to shape the first dedicated Photonics Foundry & Assembly facility in Atlantic Canada. Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. in Engineering and over 10 years of experience in photonics packaging. Responsibilities include developing manufacturing operations and establishing quality systems. This opportunity offers flexible equity and ownership structures, and discussions on remote/hybrid arrangements are welcome.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of photonics packaging experience.
• Hands-on experience with die attach, wire bonding, and optical alignment.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical operations for underwater photonics components.
• Establish quality systems and create testing protocols.
• Build partnerships with local marine tech companies.

Skills

Optical packaging

Environmental testing

Manufacturing leadership

Hermetic sealing

Customer facing experience

Education

Ph.D. in Engineering

Job description

We're launching a breakthrough venture to provide specialized packaging and ruggedization services for photonic components destined for the world's harshest marine environments. Building on Atlantic Canada's world-class marine technology ecosystem, we're solving the critical supply chain gap that affects the growth of companies in Atlantic Canada.

Are you a seasoned photonics packaging executive ready to solve the ocean's toughest engineering challenges? Join us in building Atlantic Canada's first specialized foundry for marine-ruggedized photonic components.

Responsibilities

As Co-Founder, you'll develop and work on the technical operations for:

• Laser diode ruggedization: Transform commercial lasers for marine use
• Pressure resistant packaging : Custom TO-can and ceramic packages for deep-sea applications
• Fiber-Optic Assembly: Ruggedized pigtails and connectors surviving salt water and extreme temperatures
• Environmental qualification
• Custom optical windows: Sapphire and specialized glass solutions for underwater viewing
• Build and manage specialized packaging facility in a clean room
• Establish quality systems meeting ISO 9001 and potential military standards
• Create comprehensive testing protocols exceeding commercial electronics standards
• Work on creating the core manufacturing and engineering team
• Build partnerships and alliances with local and national marine tech players

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering (Optical, Electrical, Mechanical, Materials) with packaging focus or equivalent experience
• 10+ years photonics packaging experience
• deep expertise in hermetic sealing
• hands-on experience with die attach, wire bonding and optical alignment
• environmental testing knowledge - thermal cycling, pressure, humidity, vibration
• manufacturing leadership - managed production of 10+ people
• quality systems experience -ISO 9001, statistical, process control, yield improvement
• customer facing experience

Preferred

• harsh environment packaging
• contract manufacturing experience
• marine/subsea technology
• startup or entrepreneurial experience

This is not a job offer - it’s an opportunity to shape the first dedicated Photonics Foundry & Assembly facility in Atlantic Canada from the ground up. Equity and ownership structure are flexible and open for discussion. If you're curious, let's talk.

DM me or email me at [e-mail]

Based in Halifax, but open to remote/hybrid discussions.

Feel free to share this with someone who might be a fit.

Let’s build something that moves photonics forward - together.