Senior Optical Design Engineer (f/m/d)

Entangled Future; München; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellpass membership

30 vacation days

Team off-sites & events

Gym access via Wellpass across Germany

Job summary

QuantumDiamonds builds diamond NV‑centre quantum sensing systems for semiconductor failure analysis, founded at TU Munich in 2022 and funded to €98M.

The Senior Optical Design Engineer will own the optical design of imaging and illumination systems, take designs from concept to production, and optimize performance across high‑NA and long Working Distance objectives, using Zemax OpticStudio. This hands‑on role offers direct impact on how the world sees quantum sensing technology.

Qualifications

• Experience designing optical systems from first principles, including high-NA, wide-field, and long-working-distance objectives.
• Hands-on role with ownership from simulation to bench validation and production.
• Proficiency in Zemax OpticStudio (sequential and non-sequential) for imaging and illumination design.
• Strong background in imaging and illumination systems for quantum sensing.
• Ability to translate system requirements into specifications and support manufacturing transfer.

Responsibilities

• Own the optical design of key imaging and illumination systems at the heart of our NV‑diamond sensors, from excitation through fluorescence collection and detection.
• Design custom optical systems from first principles, including high-NA, wide-field, and long-working-distance objectives, balancing optical performance, mechanical constraints, manufacturability, and cost.
• Take optical subsystems from concept to production: translate system requirements into specifications, develop and optimize designs, define tolerances, validate prototypes, and support manufacturing transfer.
• Model and optimize imaging and illumination systems in Zemax OpticStudio (sequential and non‑sequential), covering imaging performance, illumination uniformity, stray light, ghosting, and artifact mitigation.

Job description

We are looking for an experienced (Senior) Optical Design Engineer to take technical ownership of the imaging and illumination systems at the heart of our quantum sensing platform. You will design optical systems from first principles and own their development from simulation and tolerancing through bench validation and production. This is a hands‑on role with significant technical ownership and strong opportunities for career growth as our technology and organization scale, shaped by your skills, strengths, and preferred career direction.

Picture this

• Quantum sensors that see inside the most advanced chips on Earth, right where two frontier fields collide.
• Nobel‑Prize physics aimed at real customers with real problems, in production now, not someday.
• Physicists, data scientists, and engineers building side by side, turning deep science into tools the industry actually runs on.
• An international team that runs at hard problems for fun, where knowledge moves fast and so do you.

Let’s make the invisible visible!

What will you do

• Own the optical design of key imaging and illumination systems at the heart of our NV‑diamond sensors, from excitation through fluorescence collection and detection.
• Design custom optical systems from first principles, including high‑NA, wide‑field, and long‑working‑distance objectives, balancing optical performance, mechanical constraints, manufacturability, and cost.
• Take optical subsystems from concept to production: translate system requirements into specifications, develop and optimize designs, define tolerances, validate prototypes, and support manufacturing transfer.
• Model and optimize imaging and illumination systems in Zemax OpticStudio (sequential and non‑sequential), covering imaging performance, illumination uniformity, stray light, ghosting, and artifact mitigation.

Nice to have

• High‑power illumination sources and laser safety.
• Quantum sensing, NV centers, or ODMR.
• Semiconductor inspection, metrology, or failure analysis.

Pay and benefits

• You’ll get to build a company together with a brilliant and welcoming team on a product that has never been done before.
• From Day 1, you’ll own your own topics end to end and see the direct impact of your work on how the world sees QuantumDiamonds.
• Our technology is the cutting edge of tomorrow, starting today and not in 10 years.
• You’ll be part of a high‑growth company backed by top‑tier investors.
• Mission: At QD, we’re driven by more than just building great products - we aim to make a lasting difference. Joining us means contributing to meaningful work that goes beyond business as usual.
• Impact & growth: This is an exciting stage of our journey, and your voice matters. You’ll have the chance to shape our culture, influence key decisions, and grow alongside a company that’s scaling fast.
• Health & fitness: With a company‑sponsored Wellpass membership, you’ll have access to countless gyms, classes, and wellness offers across Germany to stay healthy and active.
• Team & culture: We believe the best ideas come when we connect outside the office. From regular off‑sites to team events, you’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive environment.
• Well‑being & balance: We value rest and recovery. That’s why you’ll enjoy 30 vacation days plus public holidays to recharge and return inspired.
• Learning & development: Your growth is our priority. We provide an annual budget dedicated to courses, conferences, or any resources that help you expand your skills.

QuantumDiamonds builds diamond NV‑centre quantum sensing systems for semiconductor failure analysis, founded at TU Munich in 2022 and funded to €98M.