Photonics System Engineer -100%

Lightium AG seeks a Photonics System Engineer in Schlieren to lead system-level design and requirements engineering for its TFLN platform within a collaborative startup environment.

The company is expanding its customer-focused operations and requires an experienced engineer to drive system-level architecture and rigorous requirements management for its proprietary thin-film lithium niobate technology. This position plays a key role in developing next-generation photonics solutions while partnering with leading academic institutions.

Responsibilities

• Establish and enforce best-practice requirements management protocols and standard operating procedures for TFLN-based photonic integrated circuits.
• Design system-level architectures for diverse applications, including coherent communications, IMDD, quantum technologies, radio-over-fiber, and passive optical networks.
• Evaluate, select, and deploy requirements management tools, ensuring proper implementation and providing training to team members.
• Collaborate closely with R&D teams throughout the design, optical testing, and characterization phases to support cross-functional initiatives.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, report technical findings, and update standard operating procedures.
• Monitor advancements in photonics technology and contribute to the company’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Travel occasionally to visit existing clients and prospective customers.

Requirements

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Communication, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of three years of industrial experience in RF and optical system design, including ISO-compliant requirements engineering.
• Demonstrated proficiency in tracking requirements at system, block, and component levels using the V development model.
• Deep understanding of photonics system architectures, particularly coherent transmitters and receivers.
• Fluent command of English.
• Ability to adapt and succeed in a rapid-paced startup setting.

Nice to have

• Experience with IEEE standards such as IEEE 803.2ba, including 100 GbE LR4, 400 GbE DR4, and 1.6 DR4/1.6 ZR.
• Prior industrial use of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
• Background in integrated photonics platforms like TFLN, silicon photonics, SiN, InP, or microwave photonics.
• Familiarity with quantum computing systems.
• Knowledge of German, French, or an Asian language.

What the company offers

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Employee stock option plan (ESOP).
• Full coverage of Pillar Two pension contributions.
• Generous vacation allowance.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.

About the company

Lightium AG is an early-stage startup driven by a motivated and energetic team. The organization fosters a collaborative, result-oriented culture as it scales toward a customer-centric business model.

• Motivated and energetic team culture.
• Collaborative and result-driven work environment.