Senior Optical Characterization Engineer(gn) @ Photonic Chip Venture, Besançon, France

This is an Atlantic portfolio venture. About the Venture 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. About the Role We are looking for a Senior Optical Characterization Engineer to lead the development of our coupling solutions characterization processes. This is a key aspect in both enabling fast-paced R&D and validating that we are meeting customer expectations. You will own the development of characterization setups and their automation towards mass-scale implementation. 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. What you'll do Perform technical characterization and analysis of 3D additive optical components interfaced with a variety of photonic platforms (silicon photonics, SiN, TFLN, InP, optical fiber arrays, etc.). Produce detailed measurement reports and technical documentation, including rigorous analytical interpretation of results. Setup and operate lab equipment and component interfaces (cameras, photodetectors, OSAs, probes, etc.). Supervise and mentor characterization tasks performed for customer and internal R&D projects. Lead the development of automated industrial characterization procedures supporting at-scale deployment. 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. Engineer / Master's degree, or PhD in optics, photonics, physics, engineering, or a related field. Hands-on R&D experience in an optical laboratory, with strong proficiency in measurement equipment and techniques. Expertise in bare-die (chip-level) and/or wafer-level opto-electronic characterization and testing. Experience building or leading the development of fully automated test benches/equipment is a plus. Multiple years of hands-on integrated optics characterization and qualification work. 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.