Photonics Design Engineer – PIC & Tape-Out (f/m/d)

Q.ANT; Stuttgart; Vor Ort; EUR 70.000 - 90.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Direct access to leadership

Collaborative culture

Work on cutting-edge technologies

Zusammenfassung

Q.ANT is seeking a mid-to-senior level engineer to own the full tape-out cycle for integrated photonic circuits. The role involves leading designs and collaborating with teams to ensure manufacturability and scalability of photonic processors. Candidates should have a Master's degree or equivalent experience along with strong skills in integrated photonics design and Python. The position offers a dynamic working environment in Stuttgart, where your contributions shape high-impact photonic technologies.

Qualifikationen

• 3+ years of industry experience or a PhD with 1+ year of post-PhD experience.
• Strong hands-on experience in large-scale PIC layout.
• Experience coordinating multi-project tape-outs.

Aufgaben

• Lead end-to-end tape-out of integrated photonic circuits.
• Interface with foundries to align designs and resolve conflicts.
• Mentor junior engineers on layout and tape-out practices.

Kenntnisse

Integrated photonics design

Python for automation

Collaboration across teams

Fluent English

Project coordination

Design workflow improvement

Ausbildung

Master's degree in Photonics or related field

PhD with industry-relevant projects

Tools

Photonic simulation (FDTD, eigenmode expansion)

PIC layout tooling

Jobbeschreibung

Own the full tape-out cycle for next-generation photonic integrated circuits at Q.ANT — a Stuttgart-based deep-tech company building photonic processors that compute with light.

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Type: Permanent employment, full-time, onsite with max. 1 day remote work per week

Your Mission

The future of AI computing builds on light. Q.ANT is building photonic processing systems that compute with light – delivering a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and HPC applications.

We are looking for a mid-to-senior level engineer to join our team. As the technical owner of PIC design, you will own the end-to-end design and tape-out of integrated photonic circuits – from circuit definition through layout integration, verification, and release. You will ensure every chip is testable, manufacturable, and ready to scale, while directly shaping Q.ANT's photonic technology and product roadmap.

What You Will Do

• Own and drive end-to-end tape-outs: lead circuit coordination, layout integration, DRC sign-off, documentation, and release readiness across multiple concurrent projects
• Act as the primary interface to foundries and external fabrication partners – aligning designs to process constraints, resolving design rule conflicts, and ensuring correct execution
• Contribute to PDK development and validation, and continuously improve the design workflow through automation, layout reuse, and review practice improvements
• Mentor junior engineers on photonic layout, verification, and tape-out best practices; spread a culture of rigour and ownership across the PIC team
• Feed design insights into Q.ANT’s photonic technology roadmap, proposing new components and optimisation strategies

What You Bring

• Master's degree in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field with at least 3 years of industry experience; or PhD with industry-relevant projects and engineering tasks, plus at least 1 year of post-PhD experience at an industry company
• Strong hands‑on experience in integrated photonics design and large-scale PIC layout, from concept through to tape-out
• Proven experience coordinating multi‑project tape-outs (DRC, documentation, release) and interfacing with foundries on process constraints
• Proficiency in photonic simulation (FDTD, eigenmode expansion, circuit‑level) and PIC layout tooling, with solid device physics understanding; PDK development experience is a plus
• Strong Python skills for automation, verification, and design flow improvement
• Strong collaboration and communication across architecture, characterisation, packaging, electronics, and fabrication teams
• Takes ownership of delivery and drives risks to resolution
• Fluent English required; German is a plus

What We Offer

• Make impact at scale: your design and tape-out work directly determines which photonic technologies reach production – high stakes, high impact from day one
• Work on the leading edge: photonic integrated circuit technologies that are shaping the next decade of computing
• Own your work from day one: shape tape-out strategy, PDK direction, and design workflow improvements with direct impact on product success
• Fast‑track your growth: work on challenges with few industry precedents – every tape-out you drive becomes new institutional knowledge and potentially industry‑defining IP
• World‑class team: collaborate alongside a passionate, international, cross‑functional team of experts in photonics, electronics, packaging, and fabrication
• Direct access to leadership: work closely with the company’s founders, including CEO Dr. Michael Förtsch, and the Q.ANT senior leadership team
• Collaborative culture: innovative work environment that values technical excellence, open communication, and pragmatic problem-solving
• Be part of history: join at the inflection point where photonic computing transitions from research to mainstream – your contributions will shape this transformation

We are looking for a hands‑on senior engineer who gets energized by owning complex tape-outs end to end, driving design quality and workflow rigour across a world‑class PIC team, and directly shaping next‑generation photonic technology. Ready to push the boundaries of what photonic integrated circuits can do?

Q.ANT is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.