EFFECT Photonics is a technology scale-up founded in Eindhoven. We develop highly sophisticated optical sub-assemblies (OSAs), including, among others, high-performance lasers for the data- and telecommunications market.

We are hiring a Technical Program Lead with deep hands-on expertise in InP-based photonic integrated circuits and laser technologies to drive the industrialization of multiple PIC products into production.
This is not a traditional program management role. Success in this position requires the ability to engage at depth in PIC physics, design, epitaxy, and process interactions, and to own technical decision-making across the full PIC stack.
You will lead complex development programs from tape-out through qualification, yield ramp, and production readiness, while acting as a technical integrator and decision-maker across design, process, and manufacturing domains. Applications without the following will not be considered:

• MS or PhD degree in Electronics, Photonics, Physics or related technical field
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with InP-based PICs or laser devices
  (design, process development, epitaxy, or device physics)
• Strong understanding of laser physics
• Working knowledge of the InP PIC stack, including:
  • Epitaxial layer structures
  • Process integration
  • Device-level trade-offs impacting performance and yield
• Proven ability to participate in and drive deep technical discussions across multiple domains

Additional Experience (Highly Relevant)
Experience with:

• PIC tape-outs and design cycles
• Foundry interaction and process changes
• Yield analysis and ramp
• Failure analysis and root-cause investigations
• Experience in R&D → production transitions

Explicit Non-Fit (Important Filter)
This role is not suitable for candidates who:

• Primarily identify as program/project managers without deep domain expertise in InP PICs or laser technologies
• Have only high-level semiconductor or photonics exposure without direct involvement in device-level work

Technical Leadership & Decision Making (Primary)

• Lead and drive technical decision-making across the InP PIC stack, including design, epitaxy, processing, testing, and reliability
• Actively arbitrate trade-offs between performance, yield, manufacturability, and timelines
• Challenge assumptions and resolve conflicting expert input using first-principles understanding
• Translate laser physics and PIC design constraints into concrete execution decisions
• Guide root-cause analysis, yield improvement, and design/process iterations

Program Leadership & Execution (Secondary, but critical)

• Own and drive multiple PIC development programs end-to-end:
  • tape-out → validation → qualification → production readiness
• Build and maintain execution plans (milestones, dependencies, risks)
• Ensure decisions are made in time to maintain forward momentum
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation actions

Cross-Functional Integration

• Lead technical alignment across:
  • PIC design
  • Foundry / process engineering
  • Epitaxy (internal or external)
  • Probe & test
  • Validation & reliability (QnR)
  • Manufacturing
• Act as the technical bridge between internal teams and external foundry partners
• Ensure coherence across the full PIC lifecycle