About Aylight
Aylight is a Swiss deep-technology company developing a next-generation FM comb laser platform designed to serve as a foundational photonic architecture. Our immediate focus is on AI data center optical interconnects, where multiwavelength light sources must achieve exceptional performance in spectral coherence, phase stability, noise suppression, and integration scalability. Beyond this first application, Aylight is engineering a laser architecture intended to support high-performance photonic systems across multiple advanced technology sectors, such as precision metrology and quantum technology, over the coming decade.
The Opportunity
Aylight is seeking a Chief Technology Officer to lead the scientific and technological development of its FM comb laser platform. This is a highly specialized executive technical role requiring internationally recognized expertise in semiconductor frequency comb lasers, nonlinear active resonator dynamics, and integrated photonics platforms. The CTO must combine deep theoretical mastery, extensive experimental experience, and demonstrated capability in translating advanced laser physics into scalable, industrially viable device architectures.
Required Qualifications
Education
- PhD in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline
- Doctoral degree from one of the top five research universities worldwide, with research specialization in semiconductor lasers, nonlinear photonics, or optical frequency comb physics
Scientific and Technical Expertise
- Minimum 10 years of advanced research experience in semiconductor laser systems
- Demonstrated, peer-recognized expertise in:
- Frequency comb generation in semiconductor lasers
- Frequency-modulated (FM) comb dynamics
- Ring and/or external cavity semiconductor laser architectures
- Nonlinear processes in active resonators
- Multiwavelength laser systems compatible with DWDM applications
- Deep understanding of:
- Phase coherence and synchronization phenomena in semiconductor lasers
- Laser noise dynamics and linewidth engineering
- Spatiotemporal dynamics in active photonic devices
- Significant publication record in leading international journals in photonics or semiconductor physics
- Inventorship on patents related to semiconductor laser systems or integrated photonic devices
Industrial & Platform Experience
- Minimum 2 years of relevant industrial experience in semiconductor laser development, integrated photonics/silicon photonics, or advanced photonic device engineering
- Experience advancing semiconductor laser technology from research environments to functional prototypes or pre-production systems
- Experience with heterogeneous and hybrid integration of lasers on silicon photonics platforms
- Experience collaborating with advanced fabrication facilities and international research partners
- Ability to define and execute long-term technology roadmaps for a scalable photonic platform
- Demonstrated fundraising experience across public grants and private capital, including successful acquisition of competitive research funding and equity-based financing; experience engaging with venture capital investors, leading technical due diligence processes, and maintaining an active network within the European and U.S. deep-tech VC ecosystem
Leadership
- Experience leading advanced R&D initiatives in photonics or semiconductor laser development
- Capacity to build and manage a high-level interdisciplinary technical team
- Ability to represent the company’s technical strategy in discussions with research partners, fabrication partners, and investors
Responsibilities
- Define and execute the long-term technical vision of Aylight’s FM comb laser platform
- Architect ultra-low-noise multiwavelength semiconductor comb sources for AI data center optical interconnects
- Oversee system-level optimization of performance, integration compatibility, and manufacturability
- Guide IP strategy and core technical differentiation
- Establish internal modeling, simulation, and experimental validation frameworks
- Support strategic partnerships and funding initiatives through technical leadership
Language Proficiency
- Professional proficiency in English (written and spoken)
- Professional proficiency in German (written and spoken)
Employment Details
- Employment level: 100% (full-time executive position)
- Reporting line: Reports directly to the Board of Directors
- Start date: Position available from 1 June 2026
Additional Information
This role requires a rare combination of internationally recognized expertise in semiconductor FM comb laser physics, nonlinear active photonics, and the industrial translation of advanced photonic systems. Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.