Designer Integrated Photonics (f/m/x)

ZEISS Group; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group in Germany seeks a photonics IC designer to shape next‑generation PICs for sensors and AI applications. You design and simulate photonic components, align production with fabrication teams, and contribute to complex systems with advanced materials knowledge.

You bring a master's degree and 2+ years of PIC experience, with hands-on use of Lumerical or Synopsys and familiarity with packaging and testing. Proficiency in German and English is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in EE/Physics/Photonics or related field.
• 2+ years industrial experience in integrated photonics design, PICs and optical systems.
• Hands-on with photonic design software such as Lumerical or Synopsys.
• Strong understanding of waveguides, interferometers, modulators and detectors.
• Knowledge of silicon photonics or III-V platforms and fabrication processes.
• Experience with packaging and testing of photonic devices.
• Excellent teamwork and communication in German and English.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate integrated photonic components such as waveguides, modulators, detectors and optical elements.
• Develop and optimize photonic ICs using commercial tools like Ansys Lumerical and Synopsys.
• Collaborate with process engineers to define fabrication requirements for devices.
• Work with optical packaging teams to ensure alignment and performance.
• Analyze experimental data and participate in device testing and characterization.
• Stay updated on photonic tech, simulation methods, materials and fabrication.
• Contribute to design reviews and prepare technical documentation.

Skills

Photonic design

Waveguides

Interferometers

Modulators

Detectors

PIC design

Packaging

German/English

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, or related field

Tools

Ansys Lumerical

Synopsys

COMSOL

KLayout

Job description

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- 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