Optical Engineer – Miniaturized Photonics & Systems

imec in Vlaanderen; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

Professional development

Global collaboration with imec network

Job summary

Imec USA in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Optical Engineer to design, build, and test compact optical systems that integrate photonic devices with discrete components.

You will work in an interdisciplinary team, use Zemax, Lumerical, and Code V, and develop automation scripts in Python or LabVIEW to support rapid experimentation and robust measurements.

This role offers exposure to cutting-edge photonics research and collaboration with life sciences and semiconductor teams at imec's global network.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Optics, Electro-Optics, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering or related field with ≥3 years of experience.
• Hands-on experience designing, integrating, aligning, and testing optical systems or test equipment.
• Proficiency with optical design and simulation tools (Zemax, Lumerical, Code V).
• Experience developing test scripts/automation in LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python or similar.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test optical test stands for photonic devices.
• Translate requirements into practical optical designs and architectures.
• Model optical systems and estimate performance with design software.
• Develop mechanical test fixtures and optomechanical assemblies.
• Create automation routines to improve measurement efficiency and repeatability.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary imec teams to drive projects.

Skills

Optical design

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Master’s or PhD in Optics/Photonics

Tools

Zemax

Lumerical

Code V

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Imec USA in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Optical Engineer to design, build, and test compact optical systems that integrate photonic devices with discrete components.

You will work in an interdisciplinary team, use Zemax, Lumerical, and Code V, and develop automation scripts in Python or LabVIEW to support rapid experimentation and robust measurements.

This role offers exposure to cutting-edge photonics research and collaboration with life sciences and semiconductor teams at imec's global network.