Technical Director Photonics (m/f/d)

Business Unit: BU Microsystems & Photonics
Location: Erfurt

Your role:

As Director Photonics, you will lead and develop X FAB’s photonics activities with a strong focus on the advancing of the XPH90 platform, heterogeneous integration technologies, and the development of optical devices, including light sources, photodiodes, and modulators. You will drive strategic collaborations with partners such as Ligentec and leading RTOs (e.g., imec), and you will play a key role in evaluating customer requests and defining technical solutions. You will report directly to VP BU Microsystems.

Strategic and organizational leadership

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary photonics engineering organization (device, integration, process, modelling, packaging), managing teams located in Erfurt (Germany) and at Corbeil (France).
• Define and implement the technology and development roadmap for silicon photonics, heterogeneous integration, and advanced optical components.
• Establish efficient development processes, workflows, and infrastructure to enable robust and timely technology delivery.

Technology ownership

• Overall responsibility for the further development of the XPH90 silicon photonics platform, including:
  • Light sources,
  • Photodiodes,
  • Modulators
• Drive activities in heterogeneous integration via wafer bonding, micro-transfer printing, and advanced co-packaging architectures.
• Ensure that devices perform reliably and can be manufactured to meet customer and market requirements.

Partnerships & ecosystem development

• Lead the strategic collaboration with Ligentec, focusing on joint technology development and leveraging their silicon nitride entry platform.
• Manage technology partnerships with RTOs to accelerate innovation and strengthen the development pipeline.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams including Process Integration, Yield Engineering, Quality, across Erfurt and Corbeil to ensure alignment and execution.

Customer interaction & technical solutions

• Evaluate and assess customer requests, including technical feasibility analyses, integration requirements, and risk assessments.
• Guide the development of technical solutions, including architecture proposals, technology recommendations, and development planning.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, and design assessments.
• Support Business Development and Sales during exhibitions, conferences, and customer engagements.

Innovation & continuous improvement

• Define the future strategy and roadmap for photonics technologies at X FAB.
• Initiate and lead innovation projects and research activities.
• Monitor technology trends and identify differentiation opportunities for the photonics offering.

Your profile:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Materials Science or a related field.
• Several years of experience in photonic device development or silicon photonics technology, including process and device knowledge.
• Proven experience in leading multi site technical teams, ideally with direct line responsibility across Erfurt and/or COR or comparable settings and managing complex R&D programs.
• Expertise in heterogeneous integration, wafer bonding processes, modulators, photodiodes, and laser integration concepts.
• Experience working with external technology partners and RTOs (e.g., imec).
• Strong communication and presentation skills combined with customer facing experience.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, structured working style, resilience, and high motivation.
• Willingness to travel between Erfurt and Corbeil (France) and internationally for partners and customers.

We are looking forward to your application!

Please only use our internal career page (SAP SuccessFactors) to submit your application.