Photonics Engineer in Stockton-on-Tees

Join a supportive, collaborative team where curiosity and varied experiences are celebrated, and where your voice matters from day one.

Location: Darlington, NSW with flexible working conditions.

Security requirements: Due to work with the Australian Defence Force, only Australian permanent residents and citizens can be considered for this role.

We are seeking a hands-on Photonics Engineer to define and own the optical excitation and fluorescence readout system for Deteqt's diamond-on-chip quantum sensors. You will be responsible for the end-to-end photonic architecture, from light-source selection and optical modelling through to prototyping, testing, and delivery of a manufacturable photonics package integrated with diamond and CMOS electronics. Your work will directly shape signal strength, stability, and repeatability in our first field-deployable devices.

This is a practical, device-focused role with accountability for real-world performance and manufacturability. You will work closely with quantum, electronics, mechanical, and test engineers to balance optical performance with alignment tolerance, thermal behaviour, robustness, and production constraints as we transition from lab-scale setups to compact, vendor-buildable modules.

About Deteqt: Deteqt is a fast-growing, venture-backed startup developing next-generation sensing technology that will reshape how people, vehicles and industries understand the world around them. We're building a platform based on diamond-on-chip technology, enabling magnetic-field measurement with extreme precision in a device small enough to scale. Backed by Australia's leading deep tech investors, we're moving from prototype to product and expanding our team at a formative moment where your work will directly influence how the company grows and delivers.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Photonics architecture and optical design: Define the optical excitation and fluorescence readout architecture for NV-diamond sensors, including free-space and embedded photonics approaches; perform optical modelling to optimise coupling efficiency and minimise losses; and define optical system requirements and interfaces with the CMOS platform.
• Diamond sourcing, processing and integration: Drive diamond procurement, characterisation, and quality qualification in collaboration with internal teams and external partners; work with processing vendors on cutting, polishing, surface preparation, etching, and coatings; and develop repeatable workflows for aligning, bonding, and integrating diamond with the photonics–CMOS assembly.
• Component selection and photonics prototyping: Select and evaluate required components; build optical prototypes and test rigs; and validate excitation geometries and fluorescence performance through hands-on experimentation.
• Integrated photonics package development: Design a compact, manufacturable and fully integrated photonics; collaborate with the engineering team to ensure alignment feasibility, thermal stability, and assembly robustness; and define tolerances, materials, and interfaces for external manufacturing partners.
• Testing, characterisation and optimisation: Conduct excitation and fluorescence optimisation experiments to assess uniformity, saturation, stability, and thermal behaviour; characterise optical losses, coupling efficiency, and diamond response across prototypes; and document results to drive iterative design improvements toward production readiness.
• Cross-functional and vendor collaboration: Work closely with the Product and Engineering Lead and cross-disciplinary teams to balance optical, quantum, electronic, and test requirements; engage with diamond, laser, and photonics suppliers; and contribute to design reviews, requirements definition, and system-level planning.

Your Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Materials Science, or related engineering fields.
• Required skills and experience: 3-5 years of experience in optical system design, photonics engineering, or laser-based experiments. Hands-on experience with fluorescence detection or optical readout systems. Experience building and characterising optical systems (alignment, coupling, measurement). Proficiency with optical simulation tools. Strong understanding of laser physics, micro-optics, and light-coupling techniques. Comfortable documenting work clearly and collaborating in multidisciplinary teams. Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
• Desirable skills and experience: Experience with diamond optics, NV-centres in diamond, or fluorescence-based measurements. Familiarity with diamond sourcing, polishing, etching, thin-film processing, or surface engineering. Experience with chip packaging, semiconductor assembly, micro-fabrication or integrated photonics. Understanding of thermal management for compact laser or optical modules. Experience working with fabrication vendors and manufacturing partners. Background in startups or fast-paced R&D environments.

What does success in this role look like?

A successful Photonics Engineer within the first 6–12 months will:

• Define and validate a model-backed optical architecture that maximises diamond excitation and fluorescence.
• Deliver strong, repeatable optical performance across early prototypes.
• Produce a practical, manufacturable photonics package integrating the optical source, micro-optics, diamond, and CMOS chip.
• Establish clear tolerances, assembly workflows, and vendor-ready documentation.
• Implement reliable processes for sourcing, qualifying, and integrating diamond chips.
• Make and justify informed trade-offs between optical performance and manufacturability to enable reliable field deployment.
• Work effectively across quantum, electronics, mechanical, software teams, and external vendors.

Why Join Us?

• Ground-floor impact: Be part of a well-funded, fast-growing startup at a pivotal stage, shaping a globally significant technology.
• Values-led culture: We prioritise curiosity, diversity of thought, and building with integrity.
• Mission with meaning: Help bring quantum sensing out of the lab and into real-world domains that matter — from secure navigation to sustainable resource discovery.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.