(Senior) Production Engineer - System Integration & Test

Introduction

Your mission

The future of AI computing is light, not electrons. Q.ANT is building photonic processing systems that compute with light - delivering a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and HPC applications. Turning prototypes into production-ready systems requires more than lab innovation. It demands hands-on assembly, robust system integration, and rigorous testing to guarantee performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

About us

Who we are and what we do

Q.ANT is a deep-tech scale-up developing photonic processing solutions that compute natively with light and deliver a scalable alternative to transistor-based systems. The analog co-processors are optimised for complex computations and enable energy-efficient performance for next-generation AI and HPC applications. In collaboration with the Institute for Microelectronics Stuttgart IMS CHIPS, Q.ANT operates its own pilot line for photonic chips, based on the material system Thin-Film Lithium Niobate TFLN. Q.ANT was founded by Michael Förtsch in 2018 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

Your responsibilities

As our (Senior) Production Engineer (m/f/d), your mission is to assemble, integrate, and validate complex electro-optical and electronic-mechanical systems. You will establish stable test and integration processes, optimize workflows, and ensure small-series production ramp-up runs smoothly, enabling Q.ANT’s next-generation servers to be delivered on time and at scale.

• Assemble, integrate, and test advanced photonic and electronic systems, ensuring repeatability, quality, and performance.
• Develop and standardize assembly sequences, test protocols, and production documentation to enable scalable manufacturing.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and system-level debugging to prevent rework, yield loss, and field failures.
• Collaborate with R&D, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing to ensure smooth handover, test coverage, and integration readiness.
• Optimize workstations, tooling, and end-to-end test sequences to support efficient ramp-up from prototypes to small-series production.
• Drive continuous process improvement and quality assurance initiatives, including verification workflows, structured problem solving, and implementation of corrective actions.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optics, Microsystems Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in system integration, testing, and verification of complex electro-optical or electronic-mechanical systems.
• Strong practical skills in optical and electronic assembly, hardware debugging, failure analysis, and system-level testing (DVT, PVT, SVT).
• Experience documenting test processes, verification instructions, and quality workflows for reproducible and scalable manufacturing.
• Desirable knowledge in high-speed digital and RF fundamentals, signal and power integrity, as well as basic automation or programming (Python preferred).
• Fluent in English; German or another European language is a plus.

Why us?

• We hire for attitude and train for skills.
• We encourage self responsibility and accelerate professional development.
• We move fast and encourage experimentation.
• You have the opportunity to be part of developing breakthrough photonic computing technology and have a lasting impact on the future of computing.
• You can be part of a passionate international, highly skilled cross functional team.
• You will have access to the founders of the company.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optics, Microsystems Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in system integration, testing, and verification of complex electro-optical or electronic-mechanical systems.
• Strong practical skills in optical and electronic assembly, hardware debugging, failure analysis, and system-level testing (DVT, PVT, SVT).
• Experience documenting test processes, verification instructions, and quality workflows for reproducible and scalable manufacturing.
• Desirable knowledge in high-speed digital and RF fundamentals, signal and power integrity, as well as basic automation or programming (Python preferred).
• Fluent in English; German or another European language is a plus.

• We hire for attitude and train for skills.
• We encourage self responsibility and accelerate professional development.
• We move fast and encourage experimentation.
• You have the opportunity to be part of developing breakthrough photonic computing technology and have a lasting impact on the future of computing.
• You can be part of a passionate international, highly skilled cross functional team.
• You will have access to the founders of the company.

The future of AI computing is light, not electrons. Q.ANT is building photonic processing systems that compute with light - delivering a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and HPC applications. Turning prototypes into production-ready systems requires more than lab innovation. It demands hands-on assembly, robust system integration, and rigorous testing to guarantee performance, reliability, and manufacturability., Q.ANT is a deep-tech scale-up developing photonic processing solutions that compute natively with light and deliver a scalable alternative to transistor-based systems. The analog co-processors are optimised for complex computations and enable energy-efficient performance for next-generation AI and HPC applications. In collaboration with the Institute for Microelectronics Stuttgart IMS CHIPS, Q.ANT operates its own pilot line for photonic chips, based on the material system Thin-Film Lithium Niobate TFLN. Q.ANT was founded by Michael Förtsch in 2018 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.