Photonics Engineer

QSENSATO SRL; Bari; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation contribution up to €1,500

Stock-based incentive plan (ESOP)

Work in a multidisciplinary team

Multidisciplinary team environment

Job summary

An innovative startup in Bari, Italy, seeks a Photonics Engineer to join their team focused on developing and commercializing atomic-photonic chips. The ideal candidate will have a Master or PhD in relevant fields and expertise in integrated photonics and simulation. Responsibilities include operating femtolaser sources, fabricating atomic photonic chips, and contributing to scientific publications. The offer includes a contract of 2 years with options for a permanent position, relocation contributions, and participation in a stock-based incentive plan.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in laser microstructuring and waveguides writing.
• Experience with miniaturized quantum sensors will be an asset.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Italian is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate a femtolaser source for laser microstructuring.
• Fabricate and integrate all-glass atomic photonic-chips.
• Contribute to IP portfolio through patent filing.
• Guide prototyping team in vapor cell design, scale testing and IP development.
• Collaborate with researchers and customers to solve problems.

Skills

Experimental expertise in integrated photonics

Simulation of physics problems

Hands-on test and data analysis experience

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Competency with design and data analysis software

Education

Master or Ph.D. in microelectronics or related discipline

Tools

Zemax

COMSOL

Matlab

LabVIEW

SolidWorks

Job description

QSENSATO s.r.l. is an Italian innovative startup focused on developing and commercializing atomic-photonic chips for quantum sensing and metrology. By leveraging patented femtosecond laser-written vapor cells (LWVCs) and integrating them with photonic structures, QSENSATO aims to deliver unparalleled sensitivity and size reduction in its products for industries requiring enhanced robustness and durability, such as space, geophysics 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

A Photonics Engineer who will be part of our technology team. The candidate will play a critical role in the rapid prototyping of customized laser-written vapor cells (LWVCs) and atomic-photonic chips. The candidate will work closely with our core team including Prototyping Manager and R&D Scientist, as well as with PhD students and postdocs of the local AQuTech research group.

Duties and responsibilities

• Operate a femtolaser source for laser microstructuring, waveguides writing and welding
• Perform hands‑on fabrication and integration of all‑glass atomic photonic‑chips
• Model and simulate optical physics problems for quantum sensing and metrology applications
• Guide the prototyping team with the design of custom‑designed vapor cells
• Interact with early customers and researchers to solve atomic physics problems collaboratively
• Work with the prototyping team to transition/scale testing for performance evaluation
• Contribute to the expansion of our IP portfolio through patent filing
• Contribute to the writing of scientific publications using QSENSATO’s innovative technology
• Contribute to the writing of regional, national, European and international grants

Work experience requirements

• Demonstrated experimental expertise in integrated photonics, fiber‑to‑chip alignment, glass technology, and/or waveguides/microlenses microfabrication techniques
• Simulation of physics problems for microfabricated components, including photonic waveguides, microlenses, thermal and magnetic control
• Hands‑on test and data analysis experience in optical physics domains.
• Experience with miniaturized quantum sensors will be an asset.

The individual must be highly motivated and must thrive in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Education requirements

• A Master or Ph.D. in microelectronics, physical engineering, photonics or related discipline is required.
• English (full professional proficiency). Italian and other languages will be an asset.

Technical competences

• Experience with simulating and fabricating photonic waveguides and microlenses with high‑level research tools
• Experience in testing photonic structures in different platforms and optical setups
• Competency with simulation, design, data analysis softwares (Zemax, COMSOL, Matlab, Labview, SolidWorks, or similar)
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills with creative thinking
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to brief non‑technical audiences
• Team player and able to work collaboratively in a team environment

What we offer

• Office in Bari, Italy in the lovely Apulia region
• Type of contract: 2‑years (2‑months trial period) or permanent (6‑month trial period)
• A key role in a growing start‑up in a favourable regional context
• Relocation contribution: up to a maximum of €1,500
• Long‑term incentive plan: starting from the second year of employment, there is the option to participate in a stock‑based incentive plan (ESOP plan), which provides for the distribution of company shares, according to the terms and conditions to be defined by the Company.
• A dynamic and multidisciplinary team, within the Physics Department at the University of Bari
• Established collaborations with national and international quantum research and industry

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

• Presentation letter with a declaration of interest.
• One or two reference letters is an asset.

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.