Senior Research Engineer - Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuit Design and PDK Development

Senior Research Engineer - Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuit Design and PDK Development

SAL - Silicon Austria Labs

Villach, Austria

From € 65.000 per year gross

The Integrated Photonics Technologies (IPT) research unit focuses on emerging photonic device approaches, including integrated photonics for quantum applications. We are seeking an experienced and motivated researcher to contribute to design and PDK development for aluminum nitride (AlN)-based quantum photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in SAL’s R&D cleanroom. The role bridges research and fabrication pilot line, supporting the development of next-generation PIC for quantum communication, sensing, and metrology.

You will contribute to the design workflow for PDK development of AlN quantum PICs, while supporting the process development and fabrication readiness toward high technology readiness levels (TRL). You will support design, device performance optimization, yield improvement, and quality assurance.

Your future tasks include:

• Designing photonic integrated circuits (passive components and modulators) for quantum applications based on AlN.
• Contributing to the development and validation of PDK components, including layout, simulation, and documentation.
• Generating layout from design and performing design rule checks
• Characterizing fabricated devices in the lab (optical/electrical testing) and analyzing measurement data
• Designing improvements based on characterization results to enhance device performance and yield
• Collaborating closely with process and fabrication teams to ensure high design-to-fab fidelity
• Contributing to reporting, documentation, publication, IP generation, and patent application
• Supporting industry and academic collaborations within multidisciplinary projects

Your profile:

• PhD (or MSc with equivalent work experience) in electrical engineering, applied physics, or a related field, ideally with focus on integrated photonics
• Proficiency in microelectronics design, preferably in R&D or pilot line environments, ideally related to Photonic Integrated Circuits.
• Solid scripting skills, ideally in Python
• Strong organizational and documentation skills for technical reporting and IP generation
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, e.g. with fabrication, packaging, testing…
• Autonomous, passionate, well organized, enjoying work in a dynamic and multicultural team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, German is a plus