Photonics Characterization Engineer

Finchetto; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Finchetto is seeking a Photonics Characterization Engineer to support nanofabrication process development for integrated photonics on a TFLN platform at our Cardiff site.

You will develop testbeds, test nanostructures, and analyze characterization data to drive process improvements while working closely with process engineers and the core R&D team.

Qualifications

• Lab experience in a photonics / nanofabrication setting.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation for optical measurements.
• Hands-on optical testing experience in a lab environment.
• Experience aligning optical fibers for fiber-to-chip testing.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Background in integrated photonics on Silicon, III-V, or TFLN.
• Commitment to safety, cleanroom and contamination control.

Responsibilities

• Develop testbeds for characterizing optical waveguides in the C-band via fiber arrays to TFLN chips.
• Collaborate with process engineers to define test nanostructures for fabrication and characterization insights.
• Assist with TFLN wafer characterization and nano-structure testing.
• Support setup to periodically pole lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides.
• Characterize PPLN waveguides and assess nonlinear properties.
• Collaborate with R&D to define manufacturable lithium niobate photonic designs.
• Adhere to lab safety protocols and cleanroom procedures.

Skills

Lab experience

Data analysis

Optical testing

Fiber-to-chip alignment

Communication & teamwork

Photonic materials knowledge

Safety & cleanroom discipline

Adaptability & collaboration

Job description

At Finchetto, we're pioneering the next generation of photonic systems for networking, and high performance computing. Our mission is to push the boundaries of integrated photonics to solve complex challenges with speed, precision, and elegance. Backed by leading investors and a multidisciplinary team of physicists, engineers, and innovators, we’re building scalable, real-world solutions using light.

The role

We are seeking a Photonics Characterization Engineer to support the development of cleanroom nanofabrication processes for manufacturing integrated photonics components on Thin Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) platform. In this role, you will work closely with process engineers to develop photonic structures and test nanostructures, supporting and executing the characterization work required to assess device quality.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in the development of next-generation photonics components, which will be at the heart of the next-generation of Finchetto network switch solutions.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in:

• Characterizing optical nanostructures, ideally at 1550nm optical wavelength and across the C-band.
• Testing optical waveguides through fiber-to-chip optical coupling, ideally with experience handling fiber arrays.
• Analysing and interpreting characterization data for optical semiconductor structures.

Knowledge of cleanroom nanofabrication processes for manufacturing integrated photonics will be considered relevant experience for this role. Additionally, you may be required to perform portions of your work inside a cleanroom environment.

This role is based at Finchetto’s branch office, located at the Institute for Compound Semiconductors at Cardiff University, where you will have access to state-of-the‑art testing equipment.

In some cases, cleanroom‑manufactured TFLN photonic structures will require post‑cleanroom fabrication steps. These steps will be executed under real‑time characterization to monitor variations in photonic structure properties, using the characterization data as a feedback system to control and complete the manufacturing process. You will be required to support and, when necessary, execute these post‑cleanroom fabrication steps.

Key responsibilities

• Develop testbeds for characterizing optical waveguides in the C-band via fiber arrays coupled to TFLN chips: design the setup, identify suppliers for testbed components, liaise with suppliers for procurement and installation, assemble testbeds and execute characterization of photonic structures.
• Collaborate with Finchetto process engineers to identify and define test nanostructures and preliminary photonic structures for fabrication. Their characterization will provide meaningful insights to asses the fabrication process and inform process improvements.
• Assist with TFLN wafer characterization and test nanostructure characterization.
• Support the development and operation of a setup to periodically pole lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides.
• Characterize PPLN waveguides and assess their nonlinear properties.
• Collaborate with the Finchetto core R&D team to define manufacturable lithium niobate photonic designs that meet performance requirements.
• Adhere to lab safety protocols, cleanroom safety protocols, material handling, and contamination control as set by the Institute for Compound Semiconductors' policy.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in a lab environment.
• Proficient in experimental data analysis and interpretation.
• Hands‑on experience in optical testing.
• Experience in optical fiber alignment for fiber-to-chip characterisation.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Background in integrated photonics on Silicon, or III‑V materials, or TFLN or similar material platforms.
• Commitment to adhering to company safety policies, including cleanroom protocols, material handling procedures, and contamination control measures.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of cleanroom nanofabrication processes for photonic structures.
• Experience in testing TFLN integrated photonics structures.
• Experience with poling dielectric or semiconductor structures.

Application Process

We value innovation, curiosity, and a drive to make things work. If you’re excited by complex challenges and want to help define the future of photonics, we’d love to hear from you.