3D and Silicon Photonics PDK R&D engineer

Organisation/Company IMEC Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Electronic engineering Physics » Electronics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Other Positions Country Belgium Final date to receive applications 31 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Bring 3D and Silicon photonics technologies together and deliver new computing paradigms

What you will do

imec is a global pioneer in developing 2.5D, 3D and integrated silicon photonics technologies through its 3D and Optical I/O R&D programs. Results of these programs are leveraged to design and fabricate several system demonstrators that showcase the opportunities and capabilities of combining together these technologies. The applications for these demonstrators are in the areas of telecom, datacom, computing, bio-medical and sensing.

The continuous growth of these activities requires strengthening our PDK team to provide high-quality design solutions that leverage the new technologies.

As a 3D and Silicon Photonics PDK engineer, your main responsibility is to interact with design and integration engineers and translate the device and technology parameters into design rule decks that enable the successful implementation of these devices. You will need to understand how 3D and silicon photonics technologies interact with each other and interpret the requirements and constraints in the creation of DRC/LVS/PEX decks and design flows.

In this challenging role your responsibilities are:

• 3D and Silicon photonics technology Process Design Kit (PDK) development and maintenance.
• Development, update and maintenance of DRC/LVS/PEX files to reflect changes in processing flows and the development of new device concepts.
• Development and maintenance of scripting code to enable automation.
• Prepare code repositories to enable the generation of photolithography masks for demonstrator test vehicles leveraging 3D and silicon photonics technology.
• Incorporate library components into the PDK versions, maintain and update technology handbook descriptions and create PDK packages for distribution.
• You have obtained a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in physics or electronics engineering.
• Experience in 3D/advanced packaging or silicon photonics design flow and layout is required.
• Proficiency in scripting languages/Python and proven scripting skills are required.
• Experience with DRC/LVS/PEX coding in EDA tools is a strong asset.
• Experience using photonics EDA tools and collaborating using Git is a strong asset.
• You have good documentation, communication and presentation skills.
• You are a communicative team player, still you are able to work independently.
• Given the international character of imec, good knowledge of English is a must.
• Hybrid work allowed, in average 3 days per week onsite presence required

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

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.