Job Overview

As a Characterization Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing cutting-edge testing protocols for photonic integrated circuits. Your responsibilities will include setting up and maintaining characterization tools, acquiring and installing testing equipment, and ensuring automated and scalable testing processes. You will collaborate with process engineers, integration engineers, and designers to generate reliable and precise test results that drive improvements in fabrication, integration, and device performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Testing Protocol Development: Define and develop automated and scalable testing protocols for photonic integrated circuits to ensure accurate and repeatable characterization processes.

• Equipment Acquisition & Setup: Identify, acquire, and install essential testing equipment for photonic characterization, working with third-party vendors and partners to establish efficient automated testing workflows.

• Characterization Execution: Perform testing and characterization of photonic devices, including optical, electrical, and material performance measurements, ensuring data accuracy and reliability.

• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Collect, analyze, and interpret test data to evaluate device performance, identify trends, and support continuous improvements in manufacturing and design.

• Process & Device Optimization: Work closely with process and integration engineers to provide data-driven feedback that enhances fabrication processes and device efficiency.

• Troubleshooting & Debugging: Diagnose and resolve technical issues in testing setups to ensure consistent, high-quality measurement results.

• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain comprehensive documentation of testing methodologies, procedures, results, and findings to ensure process traceability and reproducibility.

• Collaboration & Communication: Engage with multidisciplinary teams, including R&D and production, to align testing methodologies with broader company objectives.

Required

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience with photonic device characterization, including optical, electrical, and material analysis.

• Proficiency with optical and electronic testing equipment such as optical spectrum analyzers (OSA), optical power meters, photodetectors, interferometers, and automated probe stations.

• Experience with data acquisition and analysis tools (Python, LabVIEW, etc.).

• Strong analytical skills and ability to diagnose and resolve complex testing challenges.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to develop, document, and maintain robust testing protocols.

• Effective communication skills and a strong ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team.

Preferred

• Experience with wafer-level photonic testing and characterization setups.

• Familiarity with automation and scripting for test execution to enhance throughput and efficiency.

• Knowledge of semiconductor and photonic device physics, particularly in integrated optics.

• Experience with statistical data analysis, including Design of Experiments (DOE) and Six Sigma methodologies.

This is a full-time, on-site role based in the Netherlands.

Apply now and let’s talk.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Sindi Ngubane