R&D Engineer – Micro-Packaging

ABOUT US QuantWare is building the world’s most powerful quantum processors to solve humanity's greatest challenges. We do this with our unique VIO™ technology, the only QPU architecture that breaks the hardware barriers that have held quantum computing back, unlocking the path to MegaQubit quantum processors. With VIO, we are paving the way for the hyper-scale quantum computers that will change the world. And delivering on that vision demands people who don’t shy away from tackling the hardest challenges of our time. That’s where you come in! As a 3D Packaging & Tooling Engineer, you won't just be running a recipe, you will be the lead architect for how our VIO products are physically realized. You will take high-precision assembly machines and push them beyond their factory specs to handle novel 3D architectures and the precise tolerances required for optimal device performance. What you'll be doing * Tooling Adaptation: Lead the modification and customization of high-precision assembly equipment (e.g., flip-chip bonders, die attaches) to meet unique quantum 3D integration requirements. * Advanced Process Development: Develop sub-micron placement and bonding processes (thermo-compression bonding, laser-assisted bonding, coldwelding) for non-standard substrates. Lead the evaluation of glues, adhesives, and solder materials. You will determine which materials can meet our alignment requirements while surviving the extreme thermal cycling and vacuum conditions of a dilution refrigerator. * Non-Standard 3D Assembly: Design and execute "out-of-the-box" integration strategies, including multi-die stacking, interposer-based 3D architectures, and orthogonal (vertical) chip placement. * Vendor Management: Interface directly with equipment manufacturers to drive co-development of specialized hardware. Your Profile * Education: BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or Materials Science. * Deep Tooling Fluency: 7+ years of hands-on experience with high-accuracy semiconductor assembly platforms. You are the person who knows which bolts to turn and which sensors to override to get the results you need. * Precision Assembly Expertise: Proven track record of achieving <1µm (or even <0.5µm) placement accuracy in a production or R&D environment. * 3D Integration Knowledge: Deep understanding of 3D integration (TSVs, micro-bumps, or Interposers) and how these structures behave under thermal stress. Experience with materials (solders, underfills, adhesives) that must remain stable in high-vacuum or cryogenic environments. * Education: BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or Materials Science. Don't tick every box? Apply anyway. We know great candidates don't always follow a straight path, and we value diverse experience, perspectives, and ways of thinking. If this role excites you and you believe you can make an impact, we'd love to hear from you! What We Offer: At QuantWare, you’ll be part of a high-performing team of world-class experts in an ambitious, fast-moving environment. From day one, you’ll have the trust, tools, and support to do your best work. Here’s what you can expect: Competitive salary - A salary that reflects the impact and importance of the role (and of course 8% holiday allowance) Pension that’s built to last - A generous and future-proof pension plan that includes partner and dependent coverage. Flexibility built on trust - We focus on outcomes. Work flexibly, in a hybrid setup, with an open vacation policy that lets you manage your time Personal growth - We invest in your L&D, with a budget available to each team member, dependent on their individual ambitions, development needs, and performance A connected team - We make space to celebrate wins together, with team events, offsites, and spontaneous moments that bring us closer Diversity & Inclusion at QuantWare We’re an ambitious company, not only for our goals but also to become an even more diverse and inclusive team. We know this helps us with better decisions, more innovation, and strengthens our culture. In particular, we’d love to see more women in the quantum industry! So if you’re a female talent, excited about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. As part of our recruitment process, candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening.

Job Description The Lead Photonics & Quantum Integration will own the technical strategy, execution, and roadmap appendices covering photonic interconnect, integrated silicon photonics, single-photon source integration, and longer-horizon quantum–classical hybrid compute elements within the programme’s technology roadmap. The successful candidate will bridge deep expertise in quantum photonics device physics with the practical demands of semiconductor process integration, working closely with the device teams to identify co-integration opportunities on the shared hardware platform. As a senior photonics engineer you will take ownership of the physical design and verification of cutting-edge photonic integrated circuits (PICs), guiding designs from initial proof-of-concept phases to high-volume manufacturing readiness.   Key Responsibilities Roadmap & Strategy * Lead the Photonics technology roadmap aligned with the programme’s overall progression. * Define go/no-go decision criteria, risk registers, and cost models for photonic integration at each process node, consistent with the programme’s existing MPW and pilot-line budgeting methodology. * Conduct technology horizon scanning and competitive landscape analysis across silicon photonics, photonic quantum computing, and optical interconnect for AI accelerators.   Device & Process Integration * Lead the design, simulation, and characterisation of photonic components (waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, single-photon sources) compatible with the programme’s FEOL + X + BEOL process flow. Layout Execution & Tape-out Ownership: Lead complex, full-loop manual and automated layout designs and mixed-signal functions (high-speed/general I/Os, ESD structures). Drive the full tape-out process, including floor planning, waveguide routing, and mask data preparation. * Design and simulate photonic integrated circuits for communication, sensing, or compute-related applications. Work with fabrication partners to develop layouts and ensure manufacturable designs. Collaborate with electronics, packaging, and test teams to integrate PICs into larger hardware systems. * Verification & Mitigation: Execute rigorous post-layout verification (DRC, LVS, fill, density) across multiple stepping versions. Trace defect sources, mitigate layout-dependent issues, and ensure DRC/LVS cleanliness prior to tape-out. * Evaluate and specify co-integration pathways for photonic elements with the existing HZO ferroelectric and metal-oxide layers, identifying shared ALD and BEOL metal-stack process steps. * Develop optical test and characterisation methodologies from wafer-level through to packaged sub-assembly, defining pass/fail metrics for manufacturing readiness.   Modelling & Simulation * Establish and own the photonics simulation workflow, interfacing with the programme’s existing layered tool chain. * Develop compact models and Verilog-A behavioural descriptions for photonic devices to enable system-level co-simulation with the NC-FET/memristor fabric. * Model optical interconnect power, latency, and bandwidth budgets for hybrid electronic–photonic accelerator architectures.   Team & External Engagement * In time build and lead a small specialist team as the photonics workstream scales through programme phases. * Manage relationships with foundry partners, MPW brokers, and academic collaborators for photonic process access and IP development. * Represent the programme at conferences, review panels, and in publications; contribute to grant and funding applications.   Cross-Programme Contribution * Participate in programme-wide design reviews, providing photonics perspective on hybrid systolic/crossbar architecture decisions, precision formats, and KV-cache strategies. * Contribute to the programme’s future framework, specifically on optical compute and interconnect as an enabling pillar.   Requirements * PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline with a focus on photonics, quantum optics, or integrated photonic devices. Candidates must possess a deep technical understanding of advanced node semiconductor fabrication, sophisticated automation capabilities and knowledge of high-density chip design. * Demonstrated track record in experimental quantum photonics R&D, including design, fabrication liaison, and characterisation of photonic devices or circuits. * Deep knowledge of semiconductor process flows (CMOS front-end and back-end) and an understanding of how photonic elements integrate within or alongside electronic process modules. Understanding of analog circuit layout, Silicon Photonic constraints, and device physics within advanced sub-micron CMOS and SiPh technologies. * Experience translating research-stage photonic technologies toward manufacturable, scalable hardware — ideally within a commercial or national-lab R&D environment. * Strong publication record and the ability to communicate complex photonic and quantum concepts to cross-disciplinary engineering teams. * Proficiency in physical modelling and data analysis (C++, Python, SKILL, TCL, HDL, MATLAB, or equivalent); familiarity with photonic simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, MEEP, or similar). Experience with Cadence Virtuoso (Custom Layout, SDL) and industry-standard verification suites (Calibre, Hercules, ICV, Dracula, or Primeyield) * Experience developing or contributing to multi-year technology roadmaps, including milestone definition, risk assessment, and cost estimation.   The Rewards  We are an international team of quantum technology experts and dedicated business creatives that are working to bring quantum-enabled solutions to the global market. Our brilliant team members enjoy a high degree of freedom working remotely or joining one of our office spaces. We have a vibrant, enthusiastic, passionate and creative culture driven by trust, excellence and continuous improvement. If you join the Terra Quantum team, you can expect:  * An opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the pioneering field of Quantum Technologies as well as an experienced and progressive Leadership team * Gain knowledge of some of the most cutting-edge technology developments in science & engineering  * A chance to be part of one of Europe’s leading technology firms of the upcoming decades * Welcoming, friendly, and professional colleagues * A personal development plan with clear goals for advancement * A competitive salary  * Flexible working arrangements  * A diverse and supportive atmosphere, where innovation and initiative are encouraged   If you are enthusiastic about positively impacting the world and helping to drive the second quantum revolution, let’s talk!    Company description  Quantum technologies have the potential to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. There have been great advances in all areas of quantum technologies, and new fields of application are opened up every day. Hybrid computer systems that combine classic high-performance computing with quantum computers are already being used to develop solutions in sectors such as logistics, healthcare, finance, energy, automotive and aerospace. Quantum mechanical predictions are also used to obtain unprecedented precision in measurements, generate unbreakable codes, and form the basis of impenetrable communication networks. All these developments are happening right now, and they are happening at Terra Quantum.  At Terra Quantum we are building the world’s leading Quantum Technology company. We offer customers world-class quantum technology expertise organized as “quantum-as-a-service”: hybrid quantum algorithms, quantum compute and quantum enabled security solutions. Through the proprietary quantum cloud, customers have access to a unique technology platform which provides a toolset to solve real-world challenges in the realms of machine learning, optimization and simulation, today. In 2022, the company closed its Series A financing round with a $75m fundraise.  Quantum physics has, in some respects, parallels to the machine language of our computers-the zeros and ones into which our keyboard or touchscreen instructions are translated for execution in the computer-only on a larger scale: it is the machine language of the universe. The second quantum revolution is based on the control of individual quantum systems, such as individual atoms. We use quantum computers to solve currently unsolvable problems, simulate molecules and their interactions, find drugs for diseases that are not yet curable, find new materials, or make artificial intelligence stronger. Quantum is now.  Terra Quantum is a future-focused quantum services and technology company working on making the second quantum revolution a reality. Terra Quantum’s activities span all areas, markets, and industries globally.  * Our purpose is to pioneer quantum technologies to change the world for good, * Our vision is to lead the quantum revolution and be the trailblazer in technology solutions, shaping a better future for humankind to thrive in, and * Our mission is to unleash the power of quantum tech to deliver meaningful solutions today Terra Quantum is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity, inclusion and employee well-being.