Senior Research Engineer (Physics) | Physiker/in

Silicon Austria Labs GmbH SAL Villach

St. Magdalen, Kärnten, Österreich

Published Mar 5, 2026

Full-time

Permanent

Job Summary

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) and drive innovation in Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) technology as part of the European Chips Act. As a Senior Research Engineer, you will lead the process development for PICs on either Aluminum Nitride (AlN) or Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) platforms. Your daily activities will include designing, fabricating, and testing PICs, as well as owning the platform flow and serving as a technical lead for fabrication topics. You will utilize Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize processes, increase Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), and ensure stable, repeatable fabrication. This position is ideal for experts who enjoy hands-on cleanroom work, including lithography and dry etching, while also mentoring others and contributing to intellectual property generation. SAL provides a state-of-the-art research environment with significant benefits, including relocation support, professional development, and a family-friendly workplace culture in the heart of Europe.

Required Skills

Education

PhD or Master's degree in Applied Physics or a related field focused on integrated photonics.

Experience

Professional experience in integrated photonics and microfabrication
5+ years of relevant work experience if holding a Master's degree
Hands-on experience in cleanroom environments
Experience in process development and technology ownership
Experience in data-driven root-cause analysis and process optimization

Languages

German (Basic)English (Fluent)

Additional

The role is based in Austria and offers relocation support for non-European nationalities. Candidates must be able to work under an 'All-in' contract structure.