Glass Optical Engineer

QSENSATO SRL; Puglia; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation contribution up to €1,500

Stock-based incentive plan (ESOP)

Job summary

QSENSATO s.r.l. in Bari, Italy, seeks a Glass Optical Engineer to join our prototyping team. You will design, microfabricate, and assemble glass vapor cells and atomic-photonic chips, bridging optical design and fabrication.

The role involves precision glass processing, bonding, and coatings, with collaboration across R&D and manufacturing. A Master’s or Ph.D. in a related field is required; English proficiency is essential. Relocation support is offered and ESOP participation is possible.

Qualifications

• Hands-on glass processing, cutting, lapping and polishing tools.
• Bonding protocols: glass-to-glass and glass-to-silicon bonding.
• Coatings for anti-relaxation surfaces (paraffin, alumina).
• Experience with micro-optics or miniature vapor cells is an asset.
• CAD design of micro-machined glass components.

Responsibilities

• Design, microfabricate, and process specialized glass vapor cells for quantum sensing.
• Perform precise glassblowing/writing, etching, polishing, and micro-drilling.
• Bond glass-to-glass and glass-to-silicon to form hermetic micro-structures.
• Apply coatings to preserve atomic spin polarization and device performance.
• Scale LWVC production with prototyping team and collaborate across groups.
• Document processes and contribute to IP through patent filings.

Skills

Glass microfabrication

Optical engineering

Materials processing

Glass bonding

Thin-film coatings

CAD software

Education

Master’s or PhD in a related field

Tools

Inventor

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

QSENSATO Srl is an Italian innovative startup focused on developing and commercializing integrated vapor cells and atomic quantum sensors for the market of quantum sensing and metrology. By leveraging patented femtosecond laser-written vapor cells (LWVCs) and integrating them with photonic structures, QSENSATO s.r.l. aims to deliver unparalleled sensitivity and size reduction in its products for industries requiring enhanced robustness and durability, such as space, defence, remote sensing, and automotive as well as in biomedical and lab-on-chip applications. The company is an academic spinoff accredited by the University of Bari, Italy and an emerging industry player in Europe.

Position Summary

We are seeking a skilled Glass Optical Engineer to join our technology and prototyping team. The candidate will play a critical role in the microfabrication, processing, and advanced assembly of customized glass vapor cells and atomic-photonic chips. Working closely with Prototyping Managers, R&D Scientists, and Atomic Physicists, the candidate will bridge the gap between optical design and physical fabrication.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, microfabricate, and process specialized glass vapor cells for quantum sensing and metrology applications.
• Perform high-precision glassblowing or glass writing, etching, polishing, lapping, and glass micro-drilling for custom cell geometries.
• Execute advanced glass-to-glass and glass-to-silicon bonding techniques to create hermetically sealed, robust micro-cell structures.
• Apply and optimize specialized internal surface coatings - such as paraffin or alumina - to preserve atomic spin polarization.
• Collaborate with the prototyping team to scale the manufacturing of laser-written vapor cells (LWVCs) and multi-chamber/multi-well arrays.
• Troubleshoot fabrication workflows and improve the optical quality and structural integrity of micro-fabricated cells.
• Contribute to the expansion of our intellectual property portfolio through patent filings related to novel glass processing techniques.
• Document fabrication processes, write technical reports, and contribute to research publications and grant proposals.

Work Experience Requirements

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in glass microfabrication, optical engineering, or materials processing.
• Proven expertise with glass-to-glass and glass-to-silicon bonding techniques.
• Practical experience in glassblowing vapor cells, glass polishing, lapping, and micro-drilling.
• Experience with specialized coatings (such as paraffin or alumina) for atomic vapor cells is highly preferred.
• Background in miniaturized vapor cells or micro-optics manufacturing will be an asset.

Education Requirements

• A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• English (full professional proficiency). Italian and other languages will be an asset.

Technical Competences

• Extensive hands-on laboratory experience with glass processing, cutting, lapping, and polishing tools.
• Mastery of bonding protocols (glass-to-glass, anodic/direct glass-to-silicon bonding).
• Familiarity with thin-film deposition or chemical coating techniques for anti-relaxation surfaces (e.g., paraffin, alumina).
• Competency with CAD software (Inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar) for designing micro-machined glass components.

Soft Skills / Competences

• Excellent manual dexterity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a creative, hands-on approach to technical hurdles.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Team player capable of thriving in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary start-up environment.

What We Offer

• Location: Office in Bari, Italy in the lovely Apulia region.
• Contract Type: 2-years (2-months trial period) or permanent (6-month trial period).
• Impact: A key role in a growing start-up in a favorable regional context.
• Relocation Contribution: Up to a maximum of €1,500.
• Long-Term Incentive Plan: Starting from the second year of employment, option to participate in a stock-based incentive plan (ESOP plan) according to company terms.
• Environment: A dynamic and multidisciplinary team within the Physics Department at the University of Bari, with established national and international research collaborations.

QSENSATO s.r.l. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, as inclusion and diversity are essential to achieving our mission. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, religion, or sexual orientation.