Senior PIC Characterization Engineer - TFLN / High-Speed (f/m/d)

Your mission

The future of AI computing builds on light. Q.ANT is building photonic processing systems that compute with light - a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and HPC. Built on a thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform operating in the GHz regime, Q.ANT’s photonic integrated circuits sit at the heart of this technology.


You will drive the photonic and electrical characterization of TFLN PICs in the GHz regime - defining lab setups, developing measurement routines, and turning fabricated devices into validated, production-ready hardware. Beyond characterization, you will contribute to the photodiode-PIC integration lifecycle and mentor junior engineers building Q.ANT’s lab capability.

What You Will Do

Characterization & measurement

• Design and execute high-speed (GHz-regime) characterization routines for TFLN PICs and photodiodes; perform experimental verification and statistical analysis to extract key performance parameters
• Define, design, build, and develop optical and RF test setups - including probe-station configuration, calibration, routines, and continuous optimization
• Develop Python, LabVIEW, and MATLAB tools for measurement automation, data acquisition, and analysis

Integration & roadmap

• Contribute to the full photodiode-PIC hybrid integration lifecycle - from concept and design coordination through assembly, validation, and packaging
• Feed performance insights back to design and manufacturing; propose new components and optimization strategies for the technology and product roadmap

Coordination & leadership

• Schedule and prioritize characterization campaigns in line with project milestones and R&D priorities; coordinate external suppliers, service providers, and research partners
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians in device testing, data acquisition, and analysis
• Ensure adherence to lab safety standards and equipment-handling protocols, and maintain rigorous documentation of methods, code, and results

Your profile

Education & experience

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in electrical engineering, photonics, or a related field
• 5+ years of directly relevant experience in industry or research, including at least 1 year in GHz-regime high-speed photonic device testing

Technical expertise

• Deep understanding of LNOI (lithium niobate on insulator) device physics and applications, including high-speed modulation, detection, and RF signal integrity; hands-on TFLN experience is a strong plus
• Proven experience in photodiode characterization and hybrid photonic-electronic integration
• Strong hands-on experience with high-speed instrumentation: VNAs, high-speed oscilloscopes, optical spectrum analyzers, RF probes, and tunable lasers, including calibration methods for optical and RF systems
• Solid programming skills in Python, LabVIEW, and MATLAB for measurement automation and data analysis
• Practical experience in PIC testing, optical and RF probe-station measurements, optical alignment, and optoelectronic system bring-up

Ways of working

• Experience mentoring or supervising junior engineers in lab environments
• Strong communicator who coordinates effectively across cross-functional teams and external partners, and influences technical direction without formal authority
• Structured, problem-solving mindset with ownership of experimental outcomes
• Fluent English skills are a must; German is beneficial

Why us?

• Make impact at scale: Your verification and integration work directly determines which PIC technologies are production-ready - high stakes, high impact from day one
• Work on the leading edge: Photonic integrated circuit technologies that are shaping the next decade of computing
• Own your work from day one: Shape characterization strategies, integration workflows, and roadmap inputs on your own, with direct impact on product success
• Fast-track your growth: Work on challenges with few industry precedents - every problem you solve becomes new institutional knowledge and potentially industry-defining IP
• World-class team: Collaborate alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts in photonics, electronics, and packaging
• Direct access to leadership: Work closely with the company's founders, including CEO Dr. Michael Förtsch, and the Q.ANT senior leadership team
• Collaborative culture: Innovative work environment that values technical excellence, open communication, and pragmatic problem-solving
• Be part of history: Join at the inflection point where photonic computing transitions from research to mainstream - your contributions will shape this transformation

We are looking for a hands-on engineer who gets energized by turning fabricated PIC components into validated hardware, coordinating across teams and partners, and directly shaping next-generation photonic technology.

Ready to push the boundaries of what photonic integrated circuits can do? We are looking forward to receiving your application!

Q.ANT is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

About us

Who we are and what we do

Q.ANT is a deep-tech scale-up developing photonic processing solutions that compute natively with light and deliver a scalable alternative to transistor-based systems. The analog co-processors are optimised for complex computations and enable energy-efficient performance for next-generation AI and HPC applications. In collaboration with the Institute for Microelectronics Stuttgart IMS CHIPS, Q.ANT operates its own pilot line for photonic chips, based on the material system Thin-Film Lithium Niobate TFLN. Q.ANT was founded by Michael Förtsch in 2018 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.