Test Engineer Integrated Photonics (f/m/x) Fixed Term (2 Years)

ZEISS Group; Jena; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group is seeking an experienced photonics specialist to test and characterize photonic components and systems. You will design test setups, calibrate equipment, and analyze data to optimize PIC performance, collaborating with design and fabrication teams within a startup-like ZEISS initiative.

The role requires hands-on testing of lasers, modulators, waveguides, and detectors, with strong data-analysis skills and proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and OSAs.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in photonics or optoelectronics industry.
• Experience testing photonic devices such as lasers, modulators and waveguides.
• Familiarity with photonic device fabrication and cleanroom protocols.
• Proficiency with optical measurement tools including OSAs and power meters.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize test setups and test procedures according to chip design requirements.
• Maintain and manage laboratory equipment, including optical test setups and lasers.
• Conduct optical and electrical testing of photonic devices and ICs.
• Analyze optical signal performance and report results to R&D.
• Collaborate with design and fabrication teams to optimize device performance.
• Stay updated on advancements in photonics measurements and fabrication.

Skills

Photonic testing

Data analysis

Optical alignment

Lab instrumentation

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

OSAs

BERT

OTDR

CAD tools (Ansys/COMSOL/Synopsys)

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or related field

Specialized coursework in integrated photonics, optical communication, or optoelectronics

Tools

Ansys

COMSOL

Synopsys

Job description

Your Role

Are you passionate about driving integrated photonic technologies into innovative products? Then, leverage your experience to help us unlock the immense business potential of photonic integrated circuits (PIC). ZEISS has started a major strategic initiative to establish an interdisciplinary team in a dynamic and agile startup environment. The corporate-backed startup will benefit from ZEISS’s ecosystem and its expertise in the field of photonics. You will play a key role in testing and characterizing photonic components and systems. In this exciting opportunity, you will contribute with your work to realize state-of-the-art photonic integrated systems and contribute to their optimization.

Lab Setup and Maintenance

• Conceptualize test setups and test procedures according to the requirements provided by the chip design and the target application.
• Maintain and manage laboratory equipment, including optical test setups, lasers, fiber alignment systems, and photonic packaging tools
• Ensure the calibration and functionality of test equipment while maintaining a safe and organized lab environment

Testing and Measurement

• Conduct optical and electrical testing of photonic devices, including waveguides, modulators, lasers, detectors, and integrated circuits.
• Perform measurements of critical parameters such as insertion loss, reflection, transmission, and phase shift in photonic devices
• Analyze optical signal performance using tools such as Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA), Bit Error Rate Testers (BERT), and Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDR)

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data from experimental setups to ensure device performance meets the required specifications
• Document testing procedures and results, providing detailed reports and feedback to the R&D team
• Process Development: o Support the development of fabrication processes for integrated photonic devices
• Work closely with the design and fabrication teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize photonic device performance

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design engineers, process engineers, and researchers
• Participate in team meetings, offering technical insights to drive project success
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in photonic technologies, measurement, and fabrication techniques

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related field
• Specialized coursework or experience in integrated photonics, optical communication, or optoelectronics
• 2+ years experience in a photonics or optoelectronics industry in failure and root cause analysis
• Experience with testing and characterizing photonic components, including lasers, modulators, waveguides, and photodetectors
• Familiarity with cleanroom protocols and photonic device fabrication is a plus
• Proficiency with optical setup alignment and optical measurement tools such as OSAs, optical power meters, and interferometers
• Familiarity with CAD tools for photonic design (e.g., Ansys, COMSOL, or Synopsys) is a plus
• Experience with optical fiber alignment systems and automated testing setups
• Proficient in data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW).
• Deep problem-solving abilities with keen attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal in German and English