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NKT Photonics A/S

Firmware Engineer - NKT Photonics A/S

About NKT Photonics

NKT Photonics A/S is a dynamic, international high-tech company and a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and supplying high-performance lasers and photonic crystal fibers.

In Birkerød, Denmark, NKT Photonics operates R&D and production facilities in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, the USA and Sweden. The Danish site is a central hub for local product development and global engineering support.

NKT Photonics serves demanding markets such as:

  • Medical & Life Sciences
  • Industrial Precision & Metrology
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Quantum & Nano Technology

With 450+ employees and 20% of revenue invested in R&D, NKT Photonics is one of its most innovative and fastest-growing companies within laser-based technologies.

More at: www.nktphotonics.com

The Firmware Engineer role

This role focuses on low-level firmware development for advanced laser modules, where you will work on standalone embedded platforms, typically bare-metal, where timing precision and deterministic behavior are essential. Your code directly drives physical systems in quantum and defense applications, where the focus is on developing and testing functional prototypes and demonstration over mass production.

Development is in embedded C for STM32 and other ARM-based microcontrollers, with close collaboration across hardware teams to control lasers and optics at nanosecond precision.
You will engage in specification, programming, peripheral bring-up, control loop implementation, and hands-on lab validation. Tools include STM32CubeIDE, Git, Python, and the role supports global teams across Switzerland and the UK.

This is a rare opportunity to apply firmware engineering at the edge of physics, contributing to real prototypes working in a high-skill environment where scientific progress and precision engineering meet. You will join a technically strong, cross-disciplinary team of 26 engineers working across hardware, firmware, and mechanics.

You will report to Anders Olsen, Team Leader, Software & Firmware – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-olsen-dk/

Key tasks

  • Design and implement low-level embedded firmware in C/C++ for advanced laser systems used areas as in quantum computing, from early-stage prototyping to integrated platform deployment.
  • Work closely with hardware and system engineers to define architecture, control strategies, and hardware interfaces, ensuring tight integration with optics, electronics, and mechanics.
  • Analyze schematics and datasheets to implement low-level control, peripheral drivers, and real-time behavior on STM32 and other ARM-based microcontrollers.
  • Contribute to structured development workflows, including platform code reuse, version control (Git), and build/test automation using STM32CubeIDE and DevOps tools.
  • Perform hands-on debugging and validation using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and simulation tools to ensure stable and predictable firmware behavior under real-time constraints.

Ideal candidate profile

  • Degree in Embedded Systems, Electronics Engineering, or related field.
  • Solid experience with embedded C/C++ development in industrial contexts.
  • Confident reading schematics, datasheets, and low-level hardware interaction.
  • Familiarity with ARM-based microcontrollers (e.g. STM32) and platform code integration.
  • Experience with version control (Git) and structured development workflows.
  • Skilled in debugging with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
  • Understanding of real-time systems, control loops, and basic regulation theory.
  • Exposure to RTOS environments is a plus, DSP algorithms, or control loop implementation.
  • Comfortable working in a cross-disciplinary engineering team with optics, mechanics, and compliance functions.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience optimizing designs for manufacturability.
  • High level of attention to detail and commitment to quality and reliability.
  • Good teamwork skills, capable of working effectively with various engineering and project teams to achieve successful solutions.
  • English – both oral and written (English is used throughout the organization for daily communication).
  • Living in the Copenhagen area and have a valid work & resident permit for Denmark.

What NKT Photonics Offer

  • Being part of an experienced team that values open-minded collaboration and is not afraid to challenge each other to build better results.
  • Being part of a highly creative and experimental environment that embraces a “build-as-we-go” mindset within a structured company framework.
  • Contributing to groundbreaking solutions where stretching the limits of creativity and technology is part of everyday development.
  • Working on technologies for atom manipulation and other advanced physics.
  • Thriving in a culture that celebrates both professional excellence and individual passions.

How to come into consideration

Please contact: Partner Anne Borgen mail: anne@peoplement.dk or phone +45 61 69 01 01 or Associate Recruitment Partner Bettina Bakhauge, mail: bettina@peoplement.dk or phone +45 29 68 46 89 for more information.

You can apply for the position using this link.

About Peoplement

Peoplement offers executive search and recruitment of executives, senior managers and key specialists within general management, sales, digital, marketing, finance, supply chain & operations, HR and IT.

Peoplement Denmark is the exclusive representative of AltoPartners, a leading international alliance of retained boutique entrepreneurial executive search and leadership consulting firms.

Peoplement P/S
Strandvejen 100
DK 2900 Hellerup, Denmark