Optical Engineer

Summary

Imec is a research and innovation center focused on nanoelectronics, digital technologies, photonics, sensing, and healthcare applications. The Optical Engineer will design, model, build, integrate, and test compact optical systems that combine photonic devices with discrete optical components, while collaborating with interdisciplinary engineering, scientific, and application teams.

Responsibilities

• Work with application engineers and system engineers to design, build, and test optical test stands for custom photonic devices
• Translate application requirements into practical optical system designs and architectures
• Design, build, and test miniaturized optical systems combining chip-based integrated photonic devices with customized discrete optical components
• Model optical systems using optical design and simulation software to estimate performance, refine specifications, and evaluate system robustness
• Design and build mechanical test fixtures and optomechanical assemblies to support optical testing and system integration
• Implement hardware automation and streamlined optical test protocols where needed
• Develop test scripts and automation routines to improve measurement efficiency and repeatability
• Collaborate with specialists across imec’s cross-disciplinary design, technology, systems, and application teams
• Perform optical characterization and analyze experimental results to support design improvements and technical decision-making
• Work according to agreed project and customer timelines and report progress internally and to external stakeholders
• Manage priorities effectively within ambitious R&D project schedules
• Adapt quickly to evolving project requirements, research insights, and technical challenges
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and biologists

Skills

• You hold a **Master's degree or PhD in Optics, Electro-Optics, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a related technical discipline**, with at least **3 years of relevant experience**
• You have hands-on experience with the **design, integration, alignment, and testing of optical systems or optical test equipment**
• You are proficient with optical design and simulation tools such as **Ansys Zemax, Lumerical, Keysight Code V**, or comparable software
• You are comfortable developing test scripts and automation routines using **LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python**, or similar programming environments
• You have experience working in a research or development environment as part of an interdisciplinary team
• You combine strong analytical capabilities with a practical, hands-on approach to problem solving
• You are adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-moving R&D environment where requirements may evolve as projects progress
• You are a collaborative team player who enjoys working across technical disciplines
• You are fluent in English and have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with mechanical or electrical prototyping is considered beneficial

Qualifications

Must Haves

• You hold a **Master's degree or PhD in Optics, Electro-Optics, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a related technical discipline**, with at least **3 years of relevant experience**
• You have hands-on experience with the **design, integration, alignment, and testing of optical systems or optical test equipment**
• You are proficient with optical design and simulation tools such as **Ansys Zemax, Lumerical, Keysight Code V**, or comparable software
• You are comfortable developing test scripts and automation routines using **LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python**, or similar programming environments
• You have experience working in a research or development environment as part of an interdisciplinary team
• You combine strong analytical capabilities with a practical, hands-on approach to problem solving
• You are adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-moving R&D environment where requirements may evolve as projects progress
• You are a collaborative team player who enjoys working across technical disciplines
• You are fluent in English and have excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice to Haves

• Experience with mechanical or electrical prototyping is considered beneficial

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• A generous 6% employer 401(k) contribution.
• Opportunities to collaborate with world-class researchers and technology teams in the United States and Europe.
• Professional development opportunities within imec’s global research and innovation community.
• The opportunity to contribute to advanced optical and photonic technologies with meaningful scientific, biomedical, and industrial impact.