R&D Engineer for Optical Modulators 

What you will do

Imec has developed successful offerings in silicon photonics through its Optical I/O R&D program, aimed at short-reach optical communications, and through wafer-level prototype fabrication services for customers in telecom, datacom, computing, bio-medical, and sensing applications. These activities are growing and require the expansion of our team.  
As an R&D engineer for optical modulators, you investigate novel device concepts, targeting high bandwidth rates for optical interconnect links. These devices can be based on novel materials, technologies for integration flows, and/or further improvement of existing concepts (such as MZM, ring modulators, disk modulators, electro absorptions modulators, phase shifters, etc.). You support our customers in prototyping activities. You will:

• Define, implement, and document design methodologies for modulator devices. 
• Develop new concepts for optical modulators, in project teams together with process integration specialists, reliability engineers etc.  
• Layout your design with the tools used by the team. 
• Own the characterization of your devices (test procedure, data analysis, and reporting). 
• Build compact models to be used by circuit designers (internal and external customers). 
• Involve in current state-of-the-art modulators for imec silicon photonics platforms, to drive the platform improvements and to be used by customers. 
• Share your expertise with your colleagues in the silicon photonics group. 
• Please note that the position is based in Leuven (Belgium). An on-site presence of at least three days is required. 

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You have an excellent understanding of the physics of optical modulator devices and knowledge of the semiconductor manufacturing process and constraints. 
• You are a curious, creative, and hands-on designer.  
• You have demonstrated experience in designing robust optical modulator devices, preferably in an industrial context.  
• You are mastering the simulation tools: Sentaurus TCAD, Lumerical or RSoft, Agilent ADS, HFSS, etc. 
• You have hands-on experience in characterizing high-speed devices using LCA, network analyzer, pattern generator, RF spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope etc. 
• You have experience with electro-optics modeling of fast devices (>25GHz), including generating compact models in Verilog-A. 
• You layout your designs using a scripting language (like ipkiss from Luceda Photonics). 
• You have experience and are comfortable programming in Python and using git. 
• You have good communication skills in English to communicate with your colleagues in our multinational team and with customers. 
• You have a Master's or PhD degree in the relevant field. 
• Candidates with solid industrial experience will be considered for a senior position.  

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.