Photonics Characterization Engineer (TFLN & C‑Band)

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

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