About this role
This role exists to extract truth from real active photonic systems.
As a Photonics Experimental & Fabrication Engineer, you will build experiments, run automated tests, and analyse large datasets to understand how PICs, lasers, detectors, and nonlinear optical effects actually behave - under bias, noise, drift, and real operating conditions - not how we wish they behaved.
This is not a cleanroom-only role. It is about turning fabrication intuition and experimental rigor into system-level learning.
The RoleYou will be deeply hands-on with active photonic test setups, automated measurement, data analysis, and debugging complex experimental behaviour involving:
optical power, phase, and frequency
detector noise and bandwidth
laser dynamics, stability, and drift
nonlinear or bias-dependent effects
Cleanroom experience is valuable - but your impact here comes from how you design experiments, interrogate data, and extract physical insight, not from running processes.
What You’ll DoExperimental ownership (active & nonlinear systems)Design, build, and improve experiments involving:
lasers and optical sources
photodetectors and readout chains
active PIC components and biasing
nonlinear or power-dependent effects
Run automated wafer-scale and lot-scale measurements
Characterise behaviour across:
bias points
optical power
temperature
time (drift, ageing, stability).
Work late when experiments demand it - then automate so you don’t repeat heroics
Invent new experimental or analysis approaches when behaviour is messy or non-ideal
Data & analysis (non-negotiable)Analyse large experimental datasets with strong statistical discipline
Quantify and separate:
noise sources
drift mechanisms
nonlinearities
cross-coupling effects.
Correlate results to:
design intent
simulation assumptions
fabrication and process variation
metrology and electrical readout.
Write substantial Python for:
data processing
automation
experiment control
model validation
Fabrication-aware insightUse fabrication knowledge to:
interpret variation intelligently
identify real yield and performance limiters
distinguish process effects from physics
Avoid the trap of blaming fabrication for lack of understanding
Feed insight back into design, simulation, and architecture decisions
Cross-domain collaborationWork closely with photonics design, process, electronics, FPGA, and systems engineers
Ensure experimental results directly inform:
design updates
simulation models
biasing strategies
future system architectures
Required BackgroundYou must have:
At least 3 years of relevant photonics, optoelectronics, or experimental engineering experience. If you have less than 3 years’ experience, please apply to ZPM Launchpad by clicking instead.
Strong hands-on experimental experience with photonic systems, including:
lasers
photodetectors
PICs or fibre-based waveguides
Comfort working with active and bias-dependent behaviour, not just passive components
Fabrication or process-development experience used analytically
Demonstrated Python coding ability beyond trivial scripts
Comfort handling large datasets and statistics
Comfort with electronics and lab instrumentation
Willingness to rapidly upskill in design–experiment–system correlation
Experience with nonlinear optics, laser locking, noise characterisation, or optoelectronic readout is a strong plus.
Who This Role Is ForThis role is for:
Experimentalists who care about how photonic systems actually behave in operation
Engineers who enjoy debugging noise, drift, instability, and nonlinear effects
People who automate instead of repeating manual work
Builders who want to push photonics toward production reality
Engineers with high integrity and strong internal standards
What This Role Is NotThis is not:
a cleanroom operator role
a passive-component-only measurement job
a simulation-first, experiment-second position
a role for manual, spreadsheet-driven analysis
What Success Looks LikeAfter 6–12 months:
Lasers, detectors, and active PICs are characterised across wafers and lots
Nonlinearities, noise sources, and drift mechanisms are understood and quantified
Experimental results directly drive design, simulation, and biasing updates
Measurement, metrology, and electrical data are linked coherently
Test infrastructure becomes a competitive advantage
Learning cycles around active photonic behaviour are dramatically shorter
Working with usCompensation: Our framework is built on fairness and transparency, with regular reviews to reflect growth and performance.
Benefits: Share options, pension, and private medical insurance.
Culture: A deep-tech rocketship backed by leading investors. We’re building breakthrough technology with real commercial impact. Pace is high. Standards are higher.
Zero Point Motion is determined to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are committed to providing a work environment where there’s a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, and everyone is treated with respect. Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.