Optical Engineer

Research & Development – Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Join imec’s multidisciplinary R&D team in Cambridge and help develop compact optical systems that integrate advanced photonic devices with discrete optical components for next-generation healthcare and life-science applications.

About the role

Imec is world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, with more than 5,500 employees working across Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA on advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, sensing, and health and life-science applications.

As an Optical Engineer, you will be part of imec’s ISSA (Innovative Systems, Software & Applications) expertise center, specifically within the Computational Optics, Photonics, Sensing & Imaging (COPSI) group.

You will work in an interdisciplinary environment alongside application experts, including specialists from life sciences, systems engineers and architects, computer engineering experts, and semiconductor process technology experts.

In this role, you will design, build, model, and test compact optical solutions that integrate photonic devices with discrete optical elements in miniaturized form factors. For a new high-impact project, we are looking for an enthusiastic engineer who is eager to help shape tomorrow’s healthcare technologies.

You will be embedded within the imec Massachusetts team in Cambridge and functionally report to imec’s COPSI team.

What you will do

As an Optical Engineer, you will contribute to the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced optical systems and experimental platforms.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Work with application engineers and system engineers to design, build, and test optical test stands for custom photonic devices.
• Translate application requirements into practical optical system designs and architectures.
• Design, build, and test miniaturized optical systems combining chip-based integrated photonic devices with customized discrete optical components.
• Model optical systems using optical design and simulation software to estimate performance, refine specifications, and evaluate system robustness.
• Design and build mechanical test fixtures and optomechanical assemblies to support optical testing and system integration.
• Implement hardware automation and streamlined optical test protocols where needed.
• Develop test scripts and automation routines to improve measurement efficiency and repeatability.
• Collaborate with specialists across imec’s cross-disciplinary design, technology, systems, and application teams.
• Perform optical characterization and analyze experimental results to support design improvements and technical decision-making.
• Work according to agreed project and customer timelines and report progress internally and to external stakeholders.
• Manage priorities effectively within ambitious R&D project schedules.
• Adapt quickly to evolving project requirements, research insights, and technical challenges.
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and biologists.

Who you are

• You hold a Master’s degree or PhD in Optics, Electro-Optics, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• You have hands-on experience with the design, integration, alignment, and testing of optical systems or optical test equipment.
• You are proficient with optical design and simulation tools such as Ansys Zemax, Lumerical, Keysight Code V, or comparable software.
• You are comfortable developing test scripts and automation routines using LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or similar programming environments.
• Experience with mechanical or electrical prototyping is considered beneficial.
• You have experience working in a research or development environment as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• You combine strong analytical capabilities with a practical, hands-on approach to problem solving.
• You are adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-moving R&D environment where requirements may evolve as projects progress.
• You are a collaborative team player who enjoys working across technical disciplines.
• You are fluent in English and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

What we do for you

At imec USA, you will have the opportunity to work at the forefront of photonics, optical systems, semiconductor technology, and healthcare innovation while collaborating with leading researchers and engineers across imec’s global organization.

We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• 100% employer-paid medical coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• A generous 6% employer 401(k) contribution.
• Opportunities to collaborate with world-class researchers and technology teams in the United States and Europe.
• Professional development opportunities within imec’s global research and innovation community.
• The opportunity to contribute to advanced optical and photonic technologies with meaningful scientific, biomedical, and industrial impact.

This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.