Job Opportunity: Embedded Optical Sensor Engineer
We are excited to announce an opening for an Embedded Optical Sensor Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will help build the next generation of compact infrared sensing systems. This hands-on position allows you to transform bold ideas into real hardware—designing, integrating, and validating embedded optical sensor solutions that target biochemical biomarkers. You will be involved in the entire development cycle, from early proof-of-concept experiments to application-ready systems.
Collaboration will be key in this role as you work closely with experts in MEMS, optics, electronics, and data analysis in a highly interactive environment. You will also engage directly with industrial partners and leading research laboratories. This position is perfect for an engineer who enjoys ownership, problem-solving, and converting ambitious ideas into working hardware.
As part of a deep-tech startup, you will have opportunities to contribute beyond pure engineering. You will gain exposure to strategic decisions, client interactions, and fundraising activities, all while working on ambitious, well-defined research and development projects alongside our 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 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.
- 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.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop compact embedded sensor systems for infrared sensing applications.
- Build, test, and iterate on sensor and optoelectronic prototypes, from early proof-of-concept setups to application-oriented demonstrators.
- Perform system-level characterization and calibration of sensor performance.
- Develop experimental setups, test protocols, and validation procedures for real-world performance evaluation.
- Analyze experimental and sensor data to identify signal features and guide data-driven design improvements.
- Collaborate with MEMS, electronics, and software engineers to optimize overall system performance and integration.
- Support customer and partner evaluations through measurements, demonstrations, and clear technical documentation.
What We’re Looking For
- A hands-on, system-minded engineer with a strong problem-solving mindset and a willingness to explore new approaches.
- Someone who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment where initiative, autonomy, and ownership are valued.
- A collaborative team player who communicates clearly across disciplines and enjoys tackling 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 are visible in 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 collaborative setting, we would love to hear from you. Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
4K-MEMS is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as we believe they strengthen our team and our technology.