Integrated Photonics Engineer

LightQ; Hamburg; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LightQ in Hamburg is seeking a senior photonics professional to translate computing concepts into manufacturable photonic circuit designs and shape our development roadmap.

You will own photonics-layer building blocks, run simulations, interface with foundries, and collaborate with electronics and system engineers in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• PhD or 5+ years of experience designing and testing photonic integrated circuits.
• Proficiency in numerical simulation of photonic components using commercial software and custom code.
• Hands-on experience with photonic chip testing, instrument control, and test/measurement equipment.
• Demonstrated experience across the full chip design cycle and foundry-based fabrication.
• Excellent understanding of integrated-waveguide physics and active/passive photonic components.

Responsibilities

• Translate computing concepts into manufacturable photonic circuit designs.
• Own photonics-layer building blocks.
• Collaborate with system-level and electronics engineers.
• Run numerical simulations of photonic chip components.
• Interface with foundries, create chip layouts, and manage tape outs.
• Define strategies to test functionality in laboratory setups.

Skills

Photonic IC design

Numerical simulation

Laboratory testing

Foundry fabrication

Instrument control

Test & measurement

Waveguide physics

Education

BSc or MSc in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics

PhD in related field

Tools

Commercial simulation software

Custom code (Python/ MATLAB)

Job description

The demand for AI is rapidly outgrowing the electronic hardware it runs on. At LIGHT Q , we’re building next-generation computing to unlock sustainable AI: based on light, not electrons, and grounded in ultrafast laser technology, our platform is orders of magnitude faster and far more energy-efficient.We are a team of internationally recognised scientists, proficient engineers and seasoned operators. We build in Hamburg, one of the global epicentres of ultrafast photonics.

THE ROLE

At LIGHT Q , cutting-edge technologies converge: ultrafast lasers, photonics, and electronics, creating next generation computing solutions. Working closely together with experts in integrated photonics, electronics and simulations, you will set up prototypes enabling key performance validations. You will translate photonic computing concept into chip architectures, develop and test key building blocks, and help shape our development roadmap.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Translate computing concepts into manufacturable photonic circuit designs.
• Own photonics-layer building blocks.
• Collaborate with system-level and electronics engineers.
• Run numerical simulations of photonic chip components.
• Interface with foundries, create chip layouts, and manage tape outs.
• Define strategies to conclusively test functionality in laboratory setups.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• BSc or MSc in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• PhD or 5+ years of experience designing and testing photonic integrated circuits.
• Proficiency in numerical simulation of photonic components using both commercial software and custom code.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory testing of photonic chips, instrument control, and relevant test & measurement equipment.
• Demonstrated experience across the full chip design cycle and foundry-based fabrication.
• Excellent understanding of integrated-waveguide physics and of active and passive photonic components.

If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in photonics, working on something that genuinely matters and thrive in a high-energy, fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you.