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

You will drive the photonic and electrical characterization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic integrated circuits (PICs) operating in the GHz regime - designing lab setups, developing automated measurement routines, and turning fabricated devices into validated, production-ready hardware at Q.ANT, a Stuttgart-based deep-tech company building photonic processors for next-generation AI and HPC.

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Type: Permanent employment, full-time, onsite with max. 1 day remote per week

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

WHAT YOU BRING

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