Photonic Design and Optimisation Engineer

LIGENTEC is a young, dynamic and strongly growing company, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, near EPFL, close to the shore of Lake Geneva. We are developing Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) to world-leading performance with our customers for applications in Quantum Technologies, LiDAR, Space, Biosensors and more.

To support our growth, we are looking for a:

Photonic Design & Optimisation Engineer

Tasks

LIGENTEC’s engineering team is searching for a Photonic Design & Optimization Engineer to drive the innovation of its Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). The successful candidate will be passionate about advanced design techniques, component optimization, and translating performance requirements into novel photonic structures.

Role And Responsibilities:

• Design and Optimization: Drive the design, simulation, and optimization of cutting-edge passive and active photonic components (e.g., couplers, filters, modulators, photodiodes) for customer projects and strategic internal roadmaps, focusing on RF and CW domains.
• Inverse Design: Explore and implement advanced design methodologies, including inverse design and computational techniques, to push the limits of component performance.
• Component Layout: Contribute to the hands-on layout of photonic components and circuits, ensuring that the physical realization adheres to design intent, best practices, and manufacturing constraints.
• Performance Assessment: Critically assess the performance of designed components and circuits by analyzing complex experimental data, feeding insights back into the design cycle.
• Feasibility Studies: Contribute to technical feasibility studies for customer projects, defining the necessary component performance and architectural approach.
• Inter-team Collaboration: Interface with the Characterization, Process, and Yield Engineering teams to gather requirements, capabilities, and support the definition of test structures and test plans.
• Documentation: Provide concise and clear documentation and reporting on design methodology, component performance, and optimization results.

Requirements

Qualifications And Requirements:

• MSc or PhD in photonics, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience in advanced integrated optics design and optimization in a top environment, preferably industrial.
• Proficiency in designing passive photonic components and complex circuits.
• Competence with layout tools (e.g., IPKISS) and best practices is required to effectively contribute to component layout.
• Strong proficiency in Python programming for simulation, optimization, and data analysis. Familiarity with code versioning (e.g., Git) for collaborative software development is a plus.
• Expertise in dataset analysis from photonic components and circuits.
• Familiarity with active components, heterogeneous integration, and advanced design techniques (e.g., inverse design, topology optimization) is a strong plus.
• Deep understanding of PIC manufacturing and test implications on design (design-for-testability and design-for-manufacturability).
• Collaborative, solution-oriented mindset, and eager to learn and grow.
• Working proficiency in English.

Benefits

• A flexible and dynamic start-up work environment.
• Be a member of an international, diverse, customer-focused and highly motivated team.
• Personal responsibility in your job and the chance to grow with us
• Our passion to bring PICs to everyday life.

We look forward to receiving your full application, including 1) your CV, 2) a statement of interest (relating the position to your skills), and 3) grade or work certificates. Incomplete applications may not be considered.