
Lightium is a Swiss startup that offers production-grade photonic foundry services using its proprietary Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) platform. Their TFLN technology enables ultra-fast, energy-efficient data transmission, addressing limitations in current semiconductor-based transceivers, particularly for AI and data center applications. Lightium's foundry operates on 200mm wafers in a high-volume environment, aiming to reduce time-to-market and industrialization risks for customers. The platform boasts high performance, including modulation speeds over 100 GHz, low-voltage operation, a wide transparency window, and significant non-linearities. The company is currently offering closed beta testing for early access.

Lightium is a Swiss startup that offers production-grade photonic foundry services using its proprietary Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) platform. Their TFLN technology enables ultra-fast, energy-efficient data transmission, addressing limitations in current semiconductor-based transceivers, particularly for AI and data center applications. Lightium's foundry operates on 200mm wafers in a high-volume environment, aiming to reduce time-to-market and industrialization risks for customers. The platform boasts high performance, including modulation speeds over 100 GHz, low-voltage operation, a wide transparency window, and significant non-linearities. The company is currently offering closed beta testing for early access.
Business: Production-grade thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic integrated circuit (PIC) foundry and design services
Manufacturing: 200 mm wafer manufacturing in a high-volume foundry environment
Founding: Founded in 2023; headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland
Funding (disclosed): USD $7M seed announced Sept 2024
Non-dilutive support: CHF 2.67M Innosuisse grant to commercialize the TFLN platform
Founders: Amir Ghadimi, Frédéric Loizeau, Dirk Englund
Scalable, high-performance photonic integrated circuits for data center, telecom/datacom, AI, quantum, and space applications.
2023
Photonics / Semiconductor Manufacturing
CHF 2.67M
Non-dilutive grant to accelerate commercialization and transfer manufacturing to a commercial CMOS fab.
USD $7M
Announced to accelerate commercialization of production-grade TFLN foundry services and expand manufacturing, design, and testing capabilities.
Crunchbase funding-round entry lists Venture Kick as lead/investor; amount obfuscated on the page.
“Investors and supporters disclosed include Vsquared Ventures, Lakestar, and Venture Kick”
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About the Company
Are you passionate about pushing the boundaries of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology? Lightium, a leading-edge photonics startup, is looking for a skilled Photonic Design R&D Engineer to drive the development of new layout and design methodologies for our innovative thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the next generation of photonics solutions while collaborating with top academic institutions
**.
About the Ro**
le
As a Photonic Design and Layout Engineer, you will define, implement and execute the wafer-level and block-level designs and floor-planning of our internal and customer designs in our TFLN-based PIC platform. Your contributions will be pivotal in continuing the innovation at the design level using state-of-the-art software packages, bringing our cutting-edge photonic technologies from concept to mass producti
**on.
Responsibili**
**ties
Techn** ical: GDS mask generation, floor-planning and block-level design of cutting-edge photonic components for internal and external stakehol
ders.De sign: Translating block-level specifications into photonic designs together with our RF and optical simulation engin
eers.Simula tion: Supporting Lightium’s simulation activities by contributing to optical and RF simulations using state-of-the-arts simulation environm
ents.PDK Develop ment: Supporting Lightium’s PDK development by providing block-level functional models and statistical models involving fabrication and process tolera
nces.Collabora tion: Work closely with the R&D teams from design, processing, fabrication to optical testing and characterization, contributing to cross-functional projects to advance our PIC technolo
gies.Documentation and Repor ting: Maintain thorough documentation of design data and report findings, as well as implement work instructions and scripts for mask genera
tion.Innova tion: Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in photonics, incorporating new metrology techniques and technologies into our R&D lands
**cape.
What Our Ideal Candidate**
**Brings
Educational Backg** round: A degree (MSc or PhD) in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Communications, Material Sciences or a related
field.Expe rience: First work experience in photonic design at an industrial level. Prior experience with integrated photonics design, such as TFLN, silicon photonics, SiN, InP or related photonics platforms are
a plus.Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in GDS mask generation, optical simulations, RF / antenna simulations, design-rule-check (DRC), PDK development and improvement. Prior experience with optical proximity correction (OPC) is
a plus.Organization & Documen tation: Strong organizational skills to plan your work schedule between multiple projects, clean documentation of design data, following standard working procedures, and use best practices to maintain confident
iality.Collabo ration: Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinar
y team.Adapta bility: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in the face of
change.Language S kills: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of German or French is an adv
**antage.
What**
We Offer
A unique opportunity to lead a cutting-edge manufacturing initiative in the rapidly growing field of photonics. A collaborative and innovative work environment where your contributions will shape the future of telecommunications, datacom, and beyond. Competitive compensation and benefits package, including an employee stock option plan (ESOP) which reflects your experience and expertise. Home office possibility, generous vacation, full salary insurance under the Pillar 2 pension, and support of fair/conference attendance and continuing education. Become a key player in an early-phase startup and join a young, motivated, and energetic team. You will have the unique opportunity to create, grow, and develop your professional skills at a f
**ast pace.
Equal Op**
portunity
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We'd love to hear from you if you're passionate about building new tech from the ground up and thrive in a collaborative and result-driven e
nvironment.