Process Automation Engineer

PHIX; Enschede; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 days off per year

Job summary

PHIX in the Netherlands is seeking a Process Automation Engineer to develop, program, and optimize automated micro-assembly processes for photonic packaging platforms. You will work with state-of-the-art equipment to automate assembly and alignment of photonic chips, fiber arrays, and related optical components, moving from development into production.

You will lead projects across automation development, photonic alignment, and process industrialization, applying robust testing and

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in automated manufacturing or photonics packaging.
• Master's degree in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Nanotechnology, or related field.
• Strong programming experience in Python, C#, VBA or similar for automation and equipment control.
• Experience with automated production equipment, precision motion systems, machine vision, robotics, or alignment systems.
• Desirable photonics/semiconductor IC knowledge.
• Hands-on problem solving with strong documentation and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Automation development: program and optimize automated assembly on FiconTEC, FinTech Finplacer and others.
• Photonic alignment and assembly: automate active and passive alignment of photonic chips, fiber arrays, lasers, detectors and related components.
• Process industrialization: translate requirements into scalable manufacturing processes for development and volume production.
• Testing and improvement: design experiments, analyze performance, and apply continuous-improvement methods to improve yield and throughput.
• Design and tooling optimization: work with product/design/manufacturing engineers to improve designs and tooling for efficient assembly.
• Technical leadership: act as SME for automated micro-assembly and support troubleshooting and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Python

C#

VBA

Automation

Education

Master's in Photonics / related field

Tools

FiconTEC

FinTech Finplacer

Job description

As a Process Automation Engineer at PHIX, you'll develop, program, and optimize automated micro-assembly processes on some of the most advanced photonic packaging platforms in the industry. You will play a key role in automating the assembly and alignment of photonic chips, fiber arrays, and related optical components, helping to scale innovative manufacturing solutions from development into production.

Working with state-of-the-art equipment such as FiconTEC automated photonic assembly systems and FinTech Finplacer femto die bonders, you will combine your knowledge of photonics, precision motion systems, machine vision, and software development to create robust, high-accuracy assembly processes. Your work will directly contribute to expanding PHIX's manufacturing capabilities and maintaining our position as a leader in photonic packaging and assembly.

Responsibilities

• Automation development: Program, develop, and optimize automated assembly processes on FiconTEC, FinTech Finplacer femto, and other precision assembly platforms.
• Photonic alignment and assembly: Develop and implement automated processes for active and passive alignment of photonic chips, fiber arrays, laser sources, detectors, and related optical components.
• Process industrialization: Translate customer and product requirements into reliable, scalable manufacturing processes suitable for both development and volume production.
• Testing and improvement: Design experiments, analyze process performance, and apply structured continuous-improvement methodologies to improve yield, throughput, and process robustness.
• Design and tooling optimization: Collaborate with product, design, and manufacturing engineers to improve product designs, tooling concepts, and automation strategies for efficient assembly.
• Technical leadership: Act as a subject matter expert for automated micro-assembly processes, supporting troubleshooting, process transfer, and knowledge sharing across the organization.

Qualifications

• Professional experience: At least 3 years of experience developing or programming automated manufacturing processes in photonics, semiconductor packaging, micro-assembly, precision manufacturing, or a related high-tech industry.
• Education: Master's degree in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Nanotechnology, or a closely related field. Candidates with substantial experience programming advanced micro-scale or nano-scale automation equipment in the semiconductor industry are also encouraged to apply.
• Programming skills: Strong programming experience in object-oriented languages such as Python, C#, VBA, or similar programming environments used for automation and equipment control.
• Automation expertise: Experience with automated production equipment, precision motion systems, machine vision, robotics, or alignment systems for micron-level assembly processes.
• Photonics knowledge: Understanding of photonic and semiconductor integrated circuits, optical coupling, fiber arrays, lasers, detectors, or related photonic devices is highly desirable.
• Hands-on approach: Practical problem-solving skills with strong organizational, analytical, and documentation abilities.
• Communication and collaboration: Able to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams including process engineers, software developers, equipment suppliers, and customers.

What We Offer

• Work with a talented team using state-of-the-art equipment and processes.
• Help shape the future of photonic and electronic assembly in a fast-growing industry.
• A challenging role with room for personal initiative, growth, and professional development.
• Competitive employment terms and benefits, including 40 days off per year.
• A modern production facility in the heart of the beautiful Twente region of the Netherlands.