Nanofabrication Process Engineer; photonics

Company Description

EDWATEC SA is a high-tech startup and a spin-off from EPFL. We develop advanced photonic integrated circuits for on-chip optical amplification and lasing, enabling compact, high-performance, and scalable solutions for optical communications, AI datacenters, space applications, quantum technologies, sensing, and metrology.

We are looking for a highly motivated and hands‑on Nanofabrication Process Engineer to join our team and contribute to the development and fabrication of next‑generation photonic integrated circuits. The candidate will play a key role in cleanroom process development, wafer‑level fabrication, quality control, and the transfer of EDWATEC’s PIC technologies toward scalable production.

• Develop, optimize, and document nanofabrication processes for EDWATEC’s photonic integrated circuit technologies
• Fabricate silicon nitride‑based photonic integrated circuits in cleanroom facilities
• Perform key cleanroom processes, including lithography, dry/wet etching, thin‑film deposition, wafer cleaning, annealing, and metrology
• Carry out wafer‑level and device‑level inspection and quality control
• Contribute to mask layout, process design, and fabrication‑ready documentation
• Work closely with the design, characterization, and product teams to improve device performance and process reliability
• Support process transfer and interaction with external foundries, suppliers, and cleanroom partners

• Master’s degree or PhD in photonics, electrical engineering, physics, microengineering, materials science, nanotechnology, or a related field
• Strong hands‑on experience in nanofabrication of photonic integrated circuits
• Practical experience with cleanroom processes such as lithography, etching, deposition, wafer cleaning, and metrology as well as mask layout, GDS design, or Python‑based layout generation
• Experience with silicon nitride, silicon photonics or other integrated photonics platforms is a plus
• Previous training and access at EPFL CMi is a plus
• Excellent proficiency in English

• The opportunity to contribute to a fast‑moving high‑tech startup advancing integrated photonics
• Direct involvement in cleanroom fabrication and process development for next‑generation PIC technologies
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art nanofabrication facilities at EPFL
• A collaborative, creative, and international team environment
• An inspiring workplace in Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva
• Activity rate: 100%
• Start date:
  
  As soon as possible