Scientist in Optical & System Design – Illumination (m/f/x) (part-time option available)

ZEISS Group; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group is seeking a highly motivated professional to sustain optics for current and future products. You will optimize performance and collaborate with teams across optics, materials science, software, and product development.

You will also advance software for simulating and optimizing precise optical systems. The role involves communicating results and roadmaps to stakeholders at all levels, leveraging strong programming skills in Python or Matlab to model lithography systems and discuss

Qualifications

• Master of Science or Diploma in Physics, Engineering or Mathematics is preferred.
• Academic or industrial experience (e.g., as a Postdoc) is a plus but not required.
• Strong programming skills in Python or Matlab are expected.
• Experience with optical system design and ray tracing is welcome.
• Interest in sustainable software development is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Sustain optics for existing products and next-generation systems.
• Optimize functionality and maintain optical performance with cross‑functional teams.
• Develop software for simulation and optimization of precise optical systems.
• Collaborate in interdisciplinary teams and communicate results to stakeholders.

Skills

Python programming

Matlab programming

Ray tracing methods

AI concepts

Communication skills

Education

MSc or Diploma in Physics/Engineering/Math

Tools

ray-tracing software

Job description

Enabler for smaller, more powerful, and more energy-efficient microchipsWorking for tomorrow today.Around 80 percent of all microchips worldwide are produced using ZEISS technologies. As the centerpiece of every electronically controlled system, they have become an integral part of our everyday lives – whether in smartphones, smart homes or smart factories. ZEISS is a technology leader in the field of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. With high-precision lithography optics, photomask systems and process control solutions, ZEISS enables the production of ever smaller, increasingly powerful, and more energy-efficient microchips, and thus plays a pivotal role in the age of micro- and nanoelectronics.Your RoleYou sustain optics for existing products or advanced generations, optimize their functionality, and ensure the optical performance of the systems with colleagues from other teamsYou improve and develop software for the simulation and optimization of precise optical systemsYou collaborate in interdisciplinary teams (e.g., optics, materials science, software, product development) to seamlessly translate research into applicationYou communicate results, technical decisions, and roadmaps to stakeholders at all levelsYour ProfileYou have a successfully completed Master of Science or Diploma degree (preferably in Physics, Engineering or Math is a plus but not required)Professional experience in academia or industry (e.g., as a Postdoc) is a plus but not requiredGood programming skills, preferably in Python or Matlab. Experience and interest in sustainable software development are welcomeExperience in designing optical systems, both imaging and non-imaging optics, with raytracing methods are welcomeStrong natural science curiosity and willingness to independently dive deep into the physics of lithography systems and their modelingExperience with AI methods (e.g., for optimization or data analysis) is welcome but not requiredCommunication strength: you can explain complex technical concepts to colleagues from other disciplinesEnjoyment of self-motivated, structured work and learning in an interdisciplinary teamYour ZEISS Recruiting Team:Matthias Sonnentag