Principal System Integration Architect

Location: Stuttgart, GermanyType: Full-time, hybrid (1-2 days remote work per week)Level: Senior Fellow / Principal / DistinguishedYour MissionThe 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.As Principal System Integration Architect – Photonic AI Processors, you will provide technical leadership for the definition, integration, and bring-up of complete processor-based photonic systems. You'll oversee system-level electrical design - both digital and analog - ensuring performance and signal integrity at GHz frequencies, while coordinating activities across processor design, board/system hardware, firmware, and validation teams.What makes this role unique:High complexity: Integrating cutting-edge high-speed digital design (GHz-range interfaces, signal/power integrity) with novel photonic computing paradigms - an area with few industry precedentsStrategic freedom: Broad autonomy in defining system architecture, design rules, and validation strategies, constrained only by high-level product and business objectivesDecision authority: You are the primary decision-maker for system architecture trade-offs involving performance, reliability, manufacturability, and costInnovation mandate: Create best-practice methodologies for high-speed photonic system integration that will become institutional knowledge for future product generationsReal-world impact: Your work directly enables technology already deployed in production at world-leading institutions like the Leibniz Supercomputing CentreYour Impact & ResponsibilitiesWithin your first 18-24 months, you will:Ensure first-pass success of complete processor-based photonic systems through expert oversight from architecture definition to lab validationReduce development cycle time by anticipating and resolving cross-domain integration issues early, before they become costly bottlenecksMaintain system performance leadership through optimal integration of high-speed interfaces, analog subsystems, and processor core functions that deliver up to 30x energy efficiency vs. conventional systemsDeliver a complete system definition that meets aggressive functional, performance, and manufacturability targets to maintain competitive advantage in the rapidly scaling photonic computing marketKey responsibilities:Provide technical leadership for the definition, integration, and bring-up of processor-based systems, including all peripheral subsystemsOversee system-level electrical design - both digital and analog - ensuring performance and signal integrity at GHz frequenciesCoordinate activities across processor design, board/system hardware, firmware, and validation teamsAct as the primary decision-maker for system architecture trade-offs involving performance, reliability, manufacturability, and costGuide lab bring-up activities, ensuring efficient debug, test coverage, and functional validation of new systemsMentor senior engineers and provide architectural guidance to processor design teams to ensure alignment with overall system requirementsDefine design reviews, simulation strategies, and lab bring-up plans to guarantee production readinessEnsure interoperability and compliance with high-speed interface standards (PCIe, DDR, SerDes, etc.)Drive continuous improvement in system integration methodologies as we scale from pilot production to volume manufacturingYour Profile – our requirementsEducation & ExperienceMaster's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field; equivalent industry experience considered15+ years of experience in high-performance system design and integration, including processor-based platformsProven track record of first-pass bring-up success in complex, multi-domain systemsDeep technical Expertise in:System architecture definition and integration planningHigh-speed digital design (GHz-range interfaces, signal integrity, power integrity)Mixed-signal and analog subsystem integrationLab bring-up, debug, and validation methodologiesHigh-speed interconnect standards (PCIe, DDR, SerDes, etc.)Proven record of guiding processor design teams to meet system-level requirementsExperience with system-level simulation tools and methodologiesStrong understanding of thermal management and power delivery for high-performance systemsLeadership & Coordination SkillsExceptional ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across digital, analog, firmware, and validation domainsSkilled in resolving cross-domain technical challenges in fast-paced, resource-constrained environmentsStrong mentoring capability for senior technical staffExcellent communication skills with ability to translate complex technical trade-offs to management and stakeholdersPreferred Qualifications:Understanding of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and their system-level integration requirementsExperience with AI acceleration architectures and associated system-level challengesKnowledge of analog computing architectures or novel computing paradigms beyond traditional von Neumann systemsFamiliarity with optical interconnects and electro-optic integrationExperience scaling systems from prototype to volume productionWhat We OfferMake impact at scale: Help solve one of computing's biggest challenges—making growing demand in compute and sustainability go hand in handWork on the leading edge: Photonic AI acceleration technologies that will define the next decade of computing - already validated in production HPC environmentsOwn your work from day one: Broad autonomy and decision authority with direct impact on product success and the future of AI infrastructureFast-track your growth: Work on challenges with few industry precedents—every problem you solve becomes new institutional knowledge and potentially industry-defining IPWorld-class team: Collaborate alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts in photonics, processor design, and AI systemsDirect access to leadership: Work closely with the company's founders, including CEO Dr. Michael Förtsch, and advisory board members who shaped the semiconductor industry (ARM, Intel, Infineon)Collaborative culture: Innovative work environment that values technical excellence, open communication, and pragmatic problem-solvingBe part of history: Join at the inflection point where photonic computing transitions from research to mainstream—your contributions will shape this transformationWhy Q.ANTWho we are and what we do:Q.ANT is a photonic deep-tech scale-up developing photonic processing solutions that compute with light and deliver a scalable alternative to transistor-based systems.Why now matters:AI data centers are projected to consume 17% of US electricity by 2030. A single GPU now draws as much power as a kitchen oven. Traditional CMOS processors require 1,200 transistors for a simple 8-bit multiplication - Q.ANT's photonic chip does it with one optical element.In July 2025, the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre became the world's first HPC facility to deploy photonic computing in production.This isn't research anymore - it's real, it's shipping, and it's redefining what's possible.How to ApplyWe're looking for someone who gets energized by the challenge of integrating cutting-edge photonics with high-speed digital systems - and who wants to see their work deployed in production systems that are already changing how the world computes.Ready to architect the future of AI computing?We are looking forward to receiving your applicationQ.ANT is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.