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 development of cleanroom nanofabrication processes for integrated photonics on the Thin Film Lithium Niobate platform. Based at Cardiff University, you will work with process engineers to develop photonic structures and test nanostructures, performing characterization to assess device quality.

You will build and operate testbeds, develop experimental setups for C-band measurements, and collaborate with the core R&D team to

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in a laboratory environment.
• Strong experimental data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Hands-on experience with optical testing.
• Experience with optical fiber alignment for fiber-to-chip characterization.
• A background in integrated photonics, ideally involving silicon, III-V materials, TFLN, or similar platforms.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A strong commitment to laboratory and company safety policies, including cleanroom protocols, material handling, and contamination control.

Responsibilities

• Characterize optical nanostructures, ideally at 1550 nm and across the C-band.
• Test optical waveguides through fiber-to-chip optical coupling, ideally using fiber arrays.
• Analyze and interpret characterization data from optical semiconductor structures.
• Support TFLN wafer and test-nanostructure characterization.
• Develop and operate test setups for photonic device characterization.
• Support the development and operation of a setup for periodically poling lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides.
• Characterize PPLN waveguides and assess their nonlinear properties.
• Collaborate with process engineers to define test nanostructures and preliminary photonic structures for fabrication.
• Work with the core R&D team to define manufacturable lithium niobate photonic designs that meet performance requirements.
• Support, and where necessary execute, post-cleanroom fabrication steps under real-time characterization, using measurement data as feedback to control the manufacturing process.
• Follow laboratory and cleanroom safety protocols, including material handling and contamination-control procedures.

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

Photonics Characterization Engineer

Cardiff, UK | Finchetto

About Finchetto

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.

We are seeking a Photonics Characterization Engineer to support the development of cleanroom nanofabrication processes for manufacturing integrated photonics components on the Thin Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) platform.

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 exciting opportunity to play a key role in the development of next-generation photonics components that will be at the heart of Finchetto's next-generation network switch solutions.

The role is based at Finchetto's branch office at the Institute for Compound Semiconductors at Cardiff University, providing access to state-of-the-art photonics testing equipment.

What You'll Work On

In this role, you will:

• Characterize optical nanostructures, ideally at 1550 nm and across the C-band.
• Test optical waveguides through fiber-to-chip optical coupling, ideally using fiber arrays.
• Analyze and interpret characterization data from optical semiconductor structures.
• Support TFLN wafer and test-nanostructure characterization.
• Develop and operate test setups for photonic device characterization.
• Support the development and operation of a setup for periodically poling lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides.
• Characterize PPLN waveguides and assess their nonlinear properties.
• Collaborate with process engineers to define test nanostructures and preliminary photonic structures for fabrication.
• Work with the core R&D team to define manufacturable lithium niobate photonic designs that meet performance requirements.
• Support, and where necessary execute, post-cleanroom fabrication steps under real-time characterization, using measurement data as feedback to control the manufacturing process.
• Follow laboratory and cleanroom safety protocols, including material handling and contamination-control procedures.
  

Key Responsibilities

Build and operate photonics characterization testbeds

• Develop testbeds for characterizing optical waveguides in the C-band using fiber arrays coupled to TFLN chips.
• Design experimental setups and identify appropriate suppliers and components.
• Liaise with suppliers through procurement and installation.
• Assemble testbeds and execute characterization of photonic structures.

Support process development

• Collaborate with Finchetto process engineers to identify and define test nanostructures and preliminary photonic structures.
• Characterize fabricated structures and provide insights that help assess and improve fabrication processes.
• Assist with TFLN wafer characterization and test-nanostructure characterization.

Support nonlinear photonics development

• Support the development and operation of PPLN waveguide poling equipment.
• Characterize PPLN waveguides and evaluate their nonlinear optical properties.

Collaborate across R&D

• Work closely with the Finchetto core R&D team to develop manufacturable lithium niobate photonic designs that meet defined performance requirements.
  

Qualifications

We're looking for someone with:

• Proven experience working in a laboratory environment.
• Strong experimental data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Hands-on experience with optical testing.
• Experience with optical fiber alignment for fiber-to-chip characterization.
• A background in integrated photonics, ideally involving silicon, III-V materials, TFLN, or similar platforms.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A strong commitment to laboratory and company safety policies, including cleanroom protocols, material handling, and contamination control.
  

Nice to Have

Experience in any of the following would be advantageous:

• Cleanroom nanofabrication processes for photonic structures.
• Testing TFLN integrated photonics structures.
• Poling of dielectric or semiconductor structures.
• Characterization of nonlinear optical devices.
  

Why Join Finchetto?

You’ll have the opportunity to work at the intersection of integrated photonics, semiconductor processing, and high-performance computing, contributing directly to technologies that will shape the future of optical networking.

You’ll work alongside a multidisciplinary team of physicists and engineers, with access to advanced facilities and the opportunity to take photonic technologies from experimental development toward real-world applications.

Location

Institute for Compound Semiconductors, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK

Apply

We value innovation, curiosity, and a drive to make things work.

You're excited by complex technical challenges and want to help define the future of photonics, we'd love to hear from you.