As a Senior Optics & Photonics Engineer, you will own the optical heart of our assembly systems. Roughly half of your work is optics and imaging design: conceiving, dimensioning and validating the microscopy and imaging chains that enable high-precision alignment of two substrates. The remainder is laser and photonics system design: architecting and building the laser beam paths, sources and photonic subsystems that our processes rely on. You will work at the forefront of nanomaterial-based semiconductor and quantum device manufacturing, bridging optical design, substrate metrology and production processes.

Core focus areas

• High-precision alignment of two substrates using microscopy and imaging. You will develop and implement the imaging-based methods (diffraction-based or other industry-standard approaches) that achieve highly accurate substrate-to-substrate alignment — a core technical challenge where measurement and alignment expertise directly determines whether the system works.
• End-to-end design and engineering of the optical system. You will own the design and dimensioning of optical, opto-mechanical and laser-based components — taking them from design and simulation through to assembly and testing. This includes constructing optical paths not only for imaging but also for lasers, drawing on a deep, practically grounded understanding of optics and industry practices for measurement, alignment and lasers.

• Optics and imaging design (≥50%):
  • Conceptualize, design and dimension imaging and microscopy systems for sub-micron substrate-to-substrate alignment, including illumination, objectives, sensors and opto-mechanics.
  • Select and evaluate alignment strategies (diffraction-based overlay, pattern recognition, through-substrate imaging or comparable industry-standard methods) and prove them out experimentally.
  • Perform optical modelling, tolerancing and sensitivity analyses; define error budgets, uncertainty analyses and calibration strategies for the alignment chain.
  • Process and analyze measurement data using image processing, computer vision and, where useful, machine-learning-based feature extraction to push alignment accuracy and robustness.
• Lasers and photonics (20-50%):
  • Design and dimension laser beam delivery paths, including sources, beam shaping, scanning, power and polarization control, and safety-relevant aspects.
  • Specify and integrate photonic components and subsystems (fibers, modulators, detectors, sensors) and characterize their performance in the machine environment.
  • Support process development by relating laser parameters to process results, and by making the photonic subsystems stable, reproducible and serviceable.
• Prototyping and validation:
  • Build, assemble and commission prototype optical setups; plan experiments, execute tests, acquire data and run failure-mode analyses.
  • Create designs for custom experimental setups and special-purpose fixtures.
• Collaboration and documentation:
  • Work closely with mechanical, mechatronics and software engineers to integrate the optical and photonic subsystems into pre-series production tools.
  • Engage with suppliers, external design partners and customers to stay ahead of evolving requirements and technologies.
  • Prepare technical documentation, measurement reports, system specifications and recommendations for design changes.

• Excellent degree (MSc or PhD) in physics, optical engineering, photonics, micro-/precision engineering or a related field with a strong focus on optics and optical technologies.
• Several years of industrial experience developing optical, opto-mechanical or laser-based systems, ideally in semiconductor equipment, microsystems technology, precision instrumentation or laser system engineering.
• Proven track record in imaging-based alignment, overlay or optical metrology for semiconductor substrates or comparable applications.
• Demonstrated ability to take new ideas from concept to working hardware, both theoretically and practically (e.g. during a PhD or in industrial prototyping).

• Technical skills:
  • In-depth knowledge of technical optics, imaging and microscopy, optical manufacturing, and modern optical components and technologies.
  • Hands-on experience with laser sources and beam delivery, including alignment, characterization and integration of photonic subsystems.
  • Proficiency with optical design and simulation software (e.g. Zemax, Code V, LightTools) and with tolerancing and sensitivity analysis.
  • Practical experience with measurement data processing, image analysis and computer vision; familiarity with machine learning is an advantage.
  • Skilled in designing experiments, applying calibration standards, estimating uncertainty of measurement and performing comprehensive error budgeting.
  • Basic proficiency in data acquisition, analysis and visualization tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB, or similar).
• Mindset:
  • You combine outstanding analytical and conceptual abilities with creativity, initiative and a structured, goal-oriented approach to problem-solving and personal responsibility.
  • Comfortable with hands-on lab tasks and technical problem-solving.
  • Curious and eager to learn in a fast-paced start-up setting.
• Collaboration:
  • Strong communication skills in English; German a plus.
  • Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams across physics, software and hardware.

• Impact: Own the optical and photonic core that determines the accuracy of our assembly systems.
• Learning: Deepen your expertise in optical design, laser systems, alignment metrology and semiconductor equipment characterization.
• Compensation: Competitive compensation scheme, including an employee stock participation plan and Swiss employment benefits.
• Culture: Small, international team, collaborative environment, and a chance to work at the forefront of nanotech innovation.

… and the best coffee in Zurich :)