Mask Design Engineer

smartphotonics.nl; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ownership & impact

High-tech environment

International team

Training opportunities

Job summary

SMART Photonics in Eindhoven is seeking a Mask Design Engineer to own and optimize the end-to-end tape-out flow for PIC platforms. You will automate tasks, build reusable tools, and stay hands-on with tape-out execution to deliver robust results for customers.

You will work with Process Integration, R&D, Metrology and IT on tooling, CI validation, and workflow improvements, while maintaining strong documentation and code quality in a fast-growing high-tech environment.

Qualifications

• MSc in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of industrial design experience outside academia in a foundry, PIC design house, EDA provider, or customer-facing design enablement role.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the confidence to build trust and support leadership.
• Proactive mindset, eager to learn new tools, methods, and industry best practices.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Proficient in Python scripting.
• Working knowledge of Git and version control.
• Familiarity with GDS-II and layout tools such as KLayout or Nazca.
• Automation mindset: automating repetitive tasks with scripts.

Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end tape-outs, from super-cell and PCM generation to GDS validation and mask ordering.
• Prepare and validate GDS files for mask production.
• Run Design Rule Checks (DRC) and ensure manufacturing compliance.
• Develop and maintain Python- and Ruby-based post-processing scripts.
• Build modular, reusable, platform-independent tools.
• Develop utilities that support tape-out workflows and mask-set users.
• Identify and automate repetitive, error-prone manual tasks.
• Implement CI validation and regression testing against platform reference files.
• Create reproducible development environments and automated checks.
• Improve repository structure, naming conventions, and Git workflows.
• Document solutions so the team can understand, maintain, and build on them.
• Review colleagues’ code for quality, correctness, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with Process Integration, R&D, Metrology, and Procurement.
• Coordinate with EDA, PDK, and IT engineers on tooling and infrastructure.

Skills

Python scripting

Git/version control

GDS-II familiarity

Layout tools (KLayout)

Nazca

Automation mindset

Communication skills

Proactive learning

Attention to detail

Tape-out experience

Education

MSc in Electrical Engineering / Applied Physics / Photonics

Tools

Python

Job description

We’re looking for a Mask Design Engineer who combines strong technical skills with a passion for automation, ownership, and customer impact.

Meet the Team

Our Design Enablement team bridges process development, device design, and PIC circuit design. We provide the tools and workflows that help customers turn their ideas into manufacturable photonic integrated circuits.

You’ll join a team of 10 motivated engineers and report to the Cluster Lead and Principal Scientist.

Your Mission

Own and improve the end-to-end tape-out flow for SMART Photonics’ PIC platforms. You’ll execute tape-outs, understand the full post-processing chain, and take ownership of your deliverables.

But this role goes beyond running scripts: you’ll make them smarter. Working alongside your colleagues, you’ll automate repetitive tasks, improve workflows, and build robust, reusable tools—while staying hands-on with tape-out execution.

Key Responsibilities

Tape-Out Execution

• Execute end-to-end tape-outs, from super-cell and PCM generation to GDS validation and mask ordering.

• Prepare and validate GDS files for mask production.

• Run Design Rule Checks (DRC) and ensure manufacturing compliance.

Script Development

• Develop and maintain Python- and Ruby-based post-processing scripts.

• Build modular, reusable, platform-independent tools.

• Develop utilities that support tape-out workflows and mask-set users.

Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and automate repetitive, error-prone manual tasks.

• Implement CI validation and regression testing against platform reference files.

• Create reproducible development environments and automated checks.

• Improve repository structure, naming conventions, and Git workflows.

• Document solutions so the whole team can understand, maintain, and build on them.

Collaboration

• Review colleagues’ code for quality, correctness, and maintainability.

• Work with Process Integration, R&D, Metrology, and Procurement.

• Coordinate with EDA, PDK, and IT engineers on tooling and infrastructure.

And, of course, there’s Burrito Friday. You’ll help streamline tape-outs and we’ll help streamline your route to the burrito queue.

• MSc in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, or a related field.

• At least 2 years of industrial design experience outside academia, ideally in a foundry, PIC design house, EDA provider, or customer-facing design enablement role.

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to build trust and support leadership.

• Proactive mindset, eager to learn new tools, methods, and industry best practices.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Proficient in Python scripting.

• Working knowledge of Git and version control.

• Familiarity with GDS-II and layout tools such as KLayout or Nazca.

• Automation mindset: always looking for opportunities to replace repetitive manual tasks with scripts.

We offer:

• Competitive salary, discussed during the first interview.

• Freedom, ownership, and real impact in a fast-growing high-tech environment.

• Cutting-edge photonic technologies and modelling tools.

• A highly customer-facing role with an international team of experts.

• Room to grow through training, coaching, and hands-on experience.

How we create a safe work environment together.

Security is a shared responsibility. At SMART Photonics, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, where everyone is treated fairly. Together, we protect our people, information, technology, and operations. Every employee is expected to work responsibly by following approved procedures, using our systems and information with care, and speak up when something doesn't seem right. By applying, you agree to uphold our security principles and Code of Conduct.