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

Carl Zeiss AG; Jena; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Carl Zeiss AG in Germany (Jena) is seeking an engineer to test and characterize photonic components and systems within an interdisciplinary startup-like environment. You will design test setups, maintain optical equipment, and perform optical/electrical measurements to validate PIC performance.

You will analyze data, document procedures, and collaborate with design and fabrication teams to optimize device performance. Fluency in German and English is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related field.
• 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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Conduct optical and electrical testing of photonic devices, including waveguides, modulators, lasers, detectors, and integrated circuits.
• Analyze optical signal performance using tools such as Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA), Bit Error Rate Testers (BERT), and Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDR).
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data from experimental setups to ensure device performance meets the required specifications; document testing procedures and results; provide feedback to the R&D team.
• Support the development of fabrication processes for integrated photonic devices; collaborate with design and fabrication teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize performance.

Education

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

2+ years experience in a photonics or optoelectronics industry in failure and root cause analysis

Proficiency with data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW)

Excellent communication skills in German and English

Tools

OSAs

Optical power meters

Interferometers

Laser test setups

Ansys

COMSOL

Synopsys

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

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

• 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 set up 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

About ZEISS

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That's just what our employees are doing every single day - in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements.

After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people. In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.

Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.

Contact

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: Friederike Kirklar-Harms