Senior Integrated Photonic System Architect

Senior Integrated Photonic System Architect We are seeking a Senior Integrated Photonic System Architect to join the PICSYS (Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems) team at imec, contributing to the architecture and system-level realization of next-generation integrated photonic systems. The role spans two application areas central to our group's portfolio: high-speed optical communication systems — covering optical interconnects for datacom and/or optical wireless communication — and integrated photonic inertial sensing (optical gyroscopes). We are looking for a candidate with strong expertise in one of these two domains, who is motivated to ramp up on the other through hands-on involvement in our ongoing projects. You will work from system-level requirements down to sub-system, circuit, and device specifications, driving modeling-based analyses across photonic integrated circuits (PICs), electronic integrated circuits (EICs), and digital signal processing (DSP). The role is based at imec Leuven and involves close, in-person collaboration with our PIC design, EIC, packaging, and characterization teams.

What you will do

System architecture and trade-off analysis. Translate system-level requirements into concrete PIC, EIC, and DSP specifications, balancing performance, power, area, and integration trade-offs. Modeling and simulation. Develop and maintain end-to-end behavioral models of integrated photonic systems, supporting link- or sensor-level performance projections and validation against experimental data. Cross-team collaboration. Work daily with PIC design, EIC, packaging, and characterization teams to align architectural choices with implementation constraints and bring-up activities. Project execution. Contribute to ongoing research projects on PIC-based optical interconnects, optical wireless communication, integrated photonic gyroscopes, and related communications and sensing topics, delivering against project milestones and work-package commitments. Documentation and dissemination. Produce technical reports, support IP generation, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications. Funding and proposal leadership. Lead and contribute to high-impact academic and industry proposal writing to secure external research funding and establish collaborative consortia with global partners.

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. Joining PICSYS means working alongside a multidisciplinary team on problems that bridge healthcare, mobility, and communications.

Who you are

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or a closely related field. Several years of post-PhD experience in integrated photonic or electro-photonic system architecture, in academia, industry, or both. Primary expertise in either (a) high-speed optical communication systems — optical interconnects (IMDD or coherent for datacom) and/or PIC-based optical wireless communication — or (b) integrated photonic inertial sensing / optical gyroscopes (e.g., interferometric or resonant approaches in SiN, SOI, or related platforms). Demonstrated ability to acquire working competence in adjacent system domains. Solid system-level modeling skills (MATLAB, Python, VPI, or equivalent) and familiarity with photonic system simulation tools. Working understanding of silicon photonics device physics at a level sufficient to interface with PIC designers. Excellent written and spoken English. Regular on-site presence at imec Leuven to support team collaboration and lab activities. Exposure to both academic and industrial R&D environments. Familiarity with III-V or heterogeneous integration. Experience contributing to standardization activities (e.g., IEEE, OIF). Track record in collaborative research proposal writing. IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes