Photonic IC (PIC) Design & Simulation Engineer

We are building the photonic PCB, the missing piece of technology that takes integrated photonics to scale. After a decade of research into using light to manipulate information at the micrometer scale, we found that optical integration was the main bottleneck for building high-performance optical chips. So we set out to solve it. Our 3D optical interconnect solutions connect individual photonic components into functional systems, and that work sits underneath the next wave of progress in AI, computing, sensing, and telecommunications. We think optical integration is one of the most important problems in photonics right now, and we are building the foundation that decades of future innovation can rest on.

Position Overview

We are looking for a Photonic IC Design & Simulation Engineer to lead the development of our 3D optical coupling structures. This is the work that turns individual components, lasers, silicon photonics chips, chiplets and fibres, into systems that actually function together. You will own design and simulation of components touching to a wide range of photonic platforms, and you will help shape how we approach this problem as we grow. You would be one of our first 5 hires outside the founding team, so the decisions you make early will carry through everything we build next.

Key Responsibilities

• Simulate, design, and model 3D photonic components interfaced with both active and passive photonic platforms, including silicon photonics, SiN, TFLN, InP, and optical fiber arrays.
• Interface with a diverse ecosystem of optical design, simulation, and foundry software tools.
• Prepare and run customer and internal R&D projects, and take the lead on them as they grow.
• Guide and mentor design and simulation work across the team.

About you

You are happiest when the problem is genuinely hard and the path is not yet clear. You like working things out for yourself, you enjoy being part of a small multidisciplinary team, and you want your work to matter. You will fit well here if you care about getting the fundamentals right and want a real say in how the technology takes shape.

Your core qualifications

• Engineer / Master's degree, or PhD in engineering, optics, physics, computer science, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in PIC design and simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical, Tidy3D, KLayout, IPKISS/Luceda)
• Hands on experience working with commercial foundry PDKs (e.g., Ligentec, LioniX, Smart Photonics, CEA, Imec, Tower…)
• 3+ years of hands‑on integrated optics design and simulation work, ideally
• Full professional proficiency in English. French is optional.

Why join

• You would be joining at the point where the early decisions still shape everything, as one of the first hires alongside the founders. The mission is real and global, and the work sits at the foundation of where photonics is heading.
• You will have access to serious facilities, including our in‑house optics and microfabrication lab and the Femto‑ST / Mimento clean room.
• You will hold employee shares (BSPCE) in a deeptech company building something that matters.
• You get a comprehensive healthcare plan.

Location

• Besançon, France
• Hybrid remote mode with 20% local presence possible.

Application Process

• Fit call with the CEO (30min)
• Meet the team (30min)Technical interview – live assignment (60min)
• Ref calls / proposal