Senior Photonics Test & Characterization Engineer - PIC Modules & Systems (f/m/d)
Senior Photonics Test & Characterization Engineer - PIC Modules & Systems (f/m/d)
Company: Q.ANT
This role is enabling next generation analysis and characterizations of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) structures, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and modules operating in the GHz regime. System-on-chip measurements and electrooptical characterizations for photonic-modules enable the development, integration and verification of essential building blocks for our core products and demos. This role is combined with responsibilities for PIC labs.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-precision performance data enabling design validation, root cause analysis, and manufacturing yield improvement.
- Shorten design-to-validation cycle time through efficient setup automation and streamlined test methodologies.
- Enhance product performance and manufacturability by providing clear, data-driven recommendations to design and process teams.
- Working closely with the PIC Characterization Lead.
Your Profile
Education:
- Master’s or PhD in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
Experience:
- ≥3 years in photonic device characterization, with ≥2 years in GHz-regime high-speed testing.
- Proven track record in setting up and optimizing optical & RF probe stations for PIC measurements.
- Experience mentoring or supervising students or junior engineers in lab environments.
Technical Knowledge:
- Thin-film lithium niobate device physics and applications.
- SEM and microscopy techniques.
- High-speed optical modulation, detection, and RF signal integrity principles.
- Measurement instrumentation (VNAs, high-speed oscilloscopes, optical spectrum analyzers, RF probes, tunable lasers).
- Calibration methods for optical and RF systems.
Tools & Processes:
- Automation scripting (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB).
- Data acquisition systems and post-processing workflows.
- Familiarity with cleanroom processes and device fabrication steps.
Languages:
- Fluent in English; proficiency in German or another European language is a plus.
Why Us?
- Make growing demand in compute and sustainability go hand in hand.
- Work on leading edge photonic AI acceleration technologies.
- Collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Own your work from day one and fast-track your professional growth.
- Work alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts.
- Collaborate closely with the company’s founders and core leadership team.
About Us
Q.ANT is a photonic deep-tech scale-up developing photonic processing solutions that compute natively with light and deliver a scalable alternative to transistor-based systems. Its Light Empowered Native Arithmetics (LENA) architecture delivers analog co-processing power optimised for complex computation and enabling energy-efficient performance for next-generation AI and HPC applications. Q.ANT operates its own Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) chip pilot line in collaboration with the Institute for Microelectronics Stuttgart, IMS CHIPS, and is currently shipping its Native Processing Servers to selected partners. Q.ANT was founded by Michael Förtsch in 2018 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.