Designer Integrated Photonics (f/m/x)

ZEISS Group; Ulm; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group in Ulm, Germany, seeks a skilled photonics IC designer to join its advanced photonics team. You will design and simulate photonic components, develop PICs, and ensure integration into production.

Applicants should hold a master's in a relevant field and have 2+ years of industrial PIC experience, with hands-on experience in Ansys Lumerical or Synopsys, plus familiarity with fabrication and packaging processes. Proficiency in German and English is required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, or related field
• 2+ years industrial experience in integrated photonics design with emphasis on PICs
• Hands-on experience with photonic design software such as Ansys Lumerical or Synopsys
• Knowledge of semiconductor fabrication processes and materials (silicon photonics, III-V, or other platforms)
• Familiarity with layout tools (KLayout) and tape-out processes
• Excellent German and English communication skills

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate integrated photonic components such as waveguides, modulators, detectors, and optical elements
• Develop and optimize photonic integrated circuits using 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 characterization and testing of fabricated devices
• Stay updated on 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

Skills

PIC design

Photonic simulation

Ansys Lumerical

Synopsys

COMSOL

Fabrication knowledge

German language

English language

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Electrical/Optical Engineering or Physics

Tools

Ansys Lumerical

Synopsys

COMSOL

KLayout

Job description

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That's just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people.

In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.

Aufgaben

• 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

Profil

• 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

Important note

Please be advised that a valid work permit for Germany is required for non‑EU citizens. Unfortunately, applications without a valid work permit and sufficient German language skills may not be considered.