Principal Microwave Engineer

Ignite Next GmbH; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Aylight in Zurich is seeking a Principal Microwave Engineer to own the full RFIC design cycle for the high‑frequency subsystems behind our photonic platform. You will drive mm‑wave architecture, tapeouts at 100 GHz+, and work with the PIC team on opto‑RF co‑design and packaging strategy.

This senior, individual‑contributor role offers direct ownership of hardware design, a world‑class lab, and a lean team in central Zurich.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc with strong industrial track record in high-frequency IC design.
• Minimum 5 years of IC design experience at 30 GHz+ with tapeouts at 100 GHz+.
• Experience with InP HBT, GaAs HBT/pHEMT, or SiGe BiCMOS processes.

Responsibilities

• Own the full RFIC design cycle from mm-wave architecture to tapeout.
• Collaborate with PIC team on opto-RF co-design and packaging strategy.
• Lead MM-wave matching and topology optimization.
• Characterize mm-wave devices with VNA and spectrum analyzers.

Skills

IC design mm-wave

mm-wave circuit design

EM simulation HFSS Momentum

RF/mm-wave testing

opto-RF co-design

packaging knowledge

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

MSc in related field

Tools

HFSS

Momentum

ADS

Virtuoso

VNA

RF test equipment

Job description

# Principal Microwave EngineerAylightZurich, CHTech & EngineeringApply at AylightEngineering PRINCIPAL MICROWAVE ENGINEER Full-time Zurich, Switzerland Apply for this role → ← All roles About the role Own the full RFIC design cycle — from mm-wave architecture to tapeout — for the high-frequency electronic subsystems driving our FM comb laser platform. Work directly with the PIC team on opto-RF co-design and lead the packaging strategy for our photonic modules. This is a senior individual-contributor role with full technical ownership at the hardware heart of Aylight. Requirements PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related discipline; MSc with strong industrial track record considered Minimum 5 years of IC design experience at 30 GHz and above, with demonstrated tapeouts at 100 GHz or above Hands-on expertise in InP HBT, GaAs HBT/pHEMT, or SiGe BiCMOS process Strong mm-wave circuit design: oscillators, tuned amplifiers, transmission-line matching, passive and active topologies EM simulation (HFSS, Momentum, Sonnet) and RF/mm-wave circuit simulation (ADS, Virtuoso) mm-wave on-wafer characterisation — VNA, spectrum analyser, phase noise measurement Understanding of RF packaging at mm-wave frequencies: bond transitions, parasitic management, thermal constraints Strong plus High-speed electro-optic modulator (EAM/MZM) or photodetector design in III-V or silicon photonic platforms Experience with InP monolithic PIC platforms and foundry PDKs Experience with opto-RF co-packaging and electro-optic bandwidth limitations Background in optical frequency combs, WDM systems, or coherent optical interconnects Experience with heterogeneous or hybrid electronics–photonics integration What we offer Founding-team-adjacent role with direct impact on core hardware architecture Competitive salary benchmarked to Zurich deep-tech and semiconductor industry standards, with meaningful equity participation World-class lab infrastructure and collaboration with leading photonics research groups in Zurich Small team, zero bureaucracy — full ownership of your domain from day one Office in central Zurich — Europe's deep-tech capital Apply — Principal Microwave Engineer JOIN US Full name Email LinkedIn / Website Cover note CV / Résumé Choose file PDF or DOC · max 10 MB We use what you send here to assess your application for this role. Please do not include health, religious, political or other special-category information. See our privacy policy for retention periods, transfer safeguards and your rights. Submit application →Apply at AylightThis role is listed because Aylight is part of the Ignite Next portfolio. Applications are handled by Aylight directly — Ignite Next does not receive your application, screen candidates or act as a recruiter.