(Senior) System Engineer Photonic Integrated Circuits (m/f/x)

Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH

Apply to this job
Jena Until 8/23/2026 H-1B sponsor history First posted April 14, 2025 Last posted March 19, 2026
Job description

Welcome to ZEISS - a company that combines innovation and responsibility! Our corporate divisions are diverse and make a decisive contribution to the strategic orientation and sustainable success of the ZEISS Group.

Are you passionate about driving integrated photonic technologies into innovative products? Then, leverage your experience to help us unlock the immense business potential of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) – a market that is growing rapidly due to the demand for AI, faster communication, and novel types of sensors. ZEISS has started a major strategic initiative to establish an interdisciplinary team in a dynamic and agile startup environment. The corporate-backed startup will benefit from ZEISS’s ecosystem and its expertise in the field of photonics.

You will play a crucial role in advancing PIC technology towards business success. Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders is essential and should be complemented with a strong hands-on mentality.

Your role

  • Designing and developing integrated photonic systems and components.

  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define system requirements and specifications.

  • Identification and assessment of project risks and development of countermeasures

  • Conducting simulations and modeling of photonic systems to optimize performance.

  • Validation of integrated photonic devices.

  • Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues related to system integration.

  • Reporting on project progress to project management

  • Keeping abreast of industry trends and advancements in photonics technology.

Your profile

  • Master’s degree with excellent grades in physics, electrical engineering, microsystems technology or a comparable degree

  • Several years of professional industrial experience in the development or manufacture of photonic integrated circuits.

  • Methodical Knowledge in System Engineering of complex Systems

  • In-depth knowledge of relevant technologies (e.g., waveguide design, lithography, etching processes, assembly and connection technology)

  • Excellent communication skills and teamwork

  • Analytical thinking and solution-oriented working methods

  • Very good written and spoken German and English skills.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Friederike Kirklar-Harms
About this role

Summary

Design, develop, and validate photonic integrated circuits and systems in a collaborative environment.

Job title

System Engineer Photonic Integrated Circuits

Experience level

several years of professional industrial experience

Industry

photonics

Location requirements

Jena, on-site role with no remote work specified.

Salary

Not specified

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

physicselectrical engineeringmicrosystems technologysystem engineeringwaveguide designlithographyetching processesassemblyconnection technologyGermanEnglish

Preferred skills

simulationmodelingtroubleshootingrisk assessment

Specializations

photonic systemswaveguide designlithographyetchingassembly
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

07 Jena, Germany

On-site City