Principal RF Designer

Shape the Future of InP Photonics at the Source

SMART Photonics is Europe’s leading pure-play foundry for Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic integrated circuits, enabling cutting-edge innovations in telecom, datacom, quantum, lidar, sensing, and more. As demand grows across industries, we’re expanding our technical leadership team to ensure our platform remains ahead of the curve.

We are seeking a Principal RF Designer with deep experience in InP-based RF and microwave design to join our Eindhoven team. This is a rare opportunity to contribute at the core of the European photonics ecosystem—where foundational technology meets industry impact.

Seniority Level: This role is intended for candidates with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience. We kindly ask that only those who do not meet this requirement apply on other positions we have open.

About the Role

As a Principal RF Designer at SMART Photonics, you will:

• Lead RF Design Strategy: Define and implement the roadmap for RF integration within our InP process design kits (PDKs), enabling scalable and high-performance designs for our global customer base.

• Drive InP Design Enablement: Develop, model, and validate RF building blocks (e.g., high-speed modulators, photodetectors, transmission lines) and ensure their integration with optical components.

• Collaborate with World-Class Customers: Work directly with international partners—ranging from startups to tier-one system vendors—to translate application needs into design solutions that leverage our InP platform.

• Industrialize and Optimize: Work closely with process engineering, test, and packaging teams to bring RF designs from concept to manufacturable solutions, maintaining signal integrity and scalability.

• Mentor and Represent: Act as a subject matter expert both internally and externally. Mentor engineers, represent SMART Photonics at industry events, and contribute to technical papers or consortia efforts.

What You Bring

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, RF/Microwave Engineering, or a related field

• 10+ years in RF design, with a strong emphasis on high-frequency design within InP or compound semiconductor platforms – Seniority Level: This role is intended for candidates with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience. We kindly ask that only those who do not meet this requirement apply on other positions we have open.

• Proven experience in co-design of electronic and photonic functions in PICs.

• Expertise in simulation tools such and photonic-specific platforms.

• Familiarity with foundry PDKs, layout, DRC, and tape-out processes

• Strong customer-facing skills—able to clearly communicate complex technical details and guide partners through design enablement

• A passion for advancing InP technology and working at the cutting edge of Europe’s photonics landscape

• Onsite presence required at least 3 days a week.

Why Join SMART Photonics?

• Impact from the Core: Be at the heart of Europe’s InP ecosystem, influencing the tools and processes that enable the continent’s leading photonics companies.

• Innovation with Purpose: Support real-world applications—from faster data transmission and secure quantum links to next-gen sensing and healthcare.

• Collaboration with Visionaries: Work with top-tier partners and contribute to global innovation through EU-funded initiatives and strategic industry partnerships.

• Grow with Us: SMART Photonics is scaling fast. Your expertise will help shape both our technology and our technical culture.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package aligned with the seniority and strategic value of this role, along with relocation support if applicable. Full details will be shared during the first conversation.