Embedded Optical Sensor Engineer

We are looking for an Embedded Optical Sensor Engineer to join our growing team and help build the next generation of compact infrared sensing systems. You will work hands-on in the lab to turn bold ideas into real hardware—designing, integrating, and validating embedded optical sensor solutions targeting biochemical biomarkers. From early proof-of-concept experiments to application-ready systems, you will be involved end-to-end in a fast-paced development cycle.

You will collaborate closely with experts in MEMS, optics, electronics, and data analysis in a highly interactive environment, and work directly with industrial partners and leading research laboratories. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys taking ownership, solving open-ended problems, and turning ambitious ideas into working hardware.

As part of a deep-tech startup, you will also have opportunities to contribute beyond pure engineering, including exposure to strategic decisions, client interactions, and fundraising activities.

This role is supported in part by publicly funded R&D programs, providing the opportunity to work on ambitious, well-defined research and development projects alongside internal innovation efforts.

Key Qualifications
• Master’s degree or PhD in engineering or applied science (e.g. electrical engineering, applied physics, photonics, optical engineering, or a closely related field). Candidates with equivalent qualifications through substantial hands-on industrial experience are also encouraged to apply.
• Experience with sensor systems, measurement systems, or system-level hardware development involving optoelectronic or physical sensors.
• Hands-on experience working with embedded or integrated sensing systems, including signal acquisition, conditioning, and evaluation.
• Ability to build, integrate, and characterize experimental setups in a laboratory environment, from early prototypes to application-oriented demonstrators.
• Familiarity with extracting weak signals from noisy backgrounds, including sensor calibration, performance characterization, and robustness analysis (This may involve algorithmic, experimental, or system-level approaches rather than purely electronic noise optimization.)
• Experience analyzing experimental data and translating results into system-level insights and design improvements.
• Programming skills in Python for data acquisition, automation, and data analysis.
• Exposure to infrared (NIR/MIR) sensing, spectroscopy, or optoelectronic systems is a plus, but not required.
• Experience with simulation, modeling, or numerical analysis tools (optical, electrical, or system-level) is a plus.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• Prior industrial or startup experience is a strong plus.

We encourage applications from candidates who meet most, but not necessarily all, of the listed qualifications.

Responsibilities
• Design and develop compact embedded sensor systems for infrared sensing applications, including emitter–detector integration, modulation approaches, and system-level trade-offs.
• Build, test, and iterate sensor and optoelectronic prototypes, from early proof-of-concept setups to application-oriented demonstrators.
• Perform system-level characterization and calibration of sensor performance, with a focus on extracting weak signals from noisy or variable backgrounds.
• Develop experimental setups, test protocols, and validation procedures to evaluate robustness, repeatability, and real-world performance.
• Analyze experimental and sensor data to identify signal features, quantify performance limits, and guide data-driven design improvements.
• Work closely with MEMS, electronics, and software engineers to optimize overall system performance and integration.
• Support customer and partner evaluations through measurements, demonstrations, and clear, concise technical documentation.

What We’re Looking For
• A hands-on, system-minded engineer with a strong problem-solving mindset and the willingness to explore new approaches and the curiosity to explore new approaches.
• Someone who thrives in a fast-moving startup environment, where priorities evolve and initiative, autonomy, and ownership are valued.
• A collaborative team player who communicates clearly across disciplines and enjoys solving open-ended, real-world sensing challenges.
• Pragmatism and curiosity, combined with the drive to push technology from concept to robust, real-world systems.

Why Join 4K-MEMS?
• Work on cutting-edge MEMS-based infrared sensing technology with real industrial and societal impact.
• Join a small, highly skilled team where individual contributions have visible on the product.
• Experience a deep-tech startup environment combining rapid experimentation, system-level problem solving, and application-driven development.
• Collaborate across disciplines in an open, supportive, and technically ambitious culture.

If you are passionate about optical sensing, enjoy hands-on experimentation, and thrive in a high-paced, collaborative environment, we would love to hear from you.

4K-MEMS is an equal opportunities employer. We value diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and believe they strengthen our team and our technology.