Fibre Optics Engineer (m/w/d)

Hades is a modern mining company on a mission to transform how the world accesses critical resources and energy. Founded in 2025, we’re developing ultra-deep laser drilling technologies that push the limits of what’s possible underground. Based in Munich, we’ve raised over €20M in funding from leading European resilience investors including HV Capital, Headline, Project A and Visionaries Tomorrow. We’re now building a world-class team to bring this vision to life.
 
Why Join Hades?

• At Hades, you'll be part of a high-growth, high-impact deep-tech startup making a tangible difference. Our mission is critical: to secure sovereignty for Europe through the responsible and efficient extraction of vital materials and energy. We offer:
• Impactful Work: Contribute directly to solving global challenges related to resource scarcity and energy independence.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Work at the forefront of ultra-deep drilling, leveraging advanced engineering and innovative approaches.
• Growth Potential: Join a rapidly expanding company with significant opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Dynamic Environment: Thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and entrepreneurial setting in the heart of Munich.
• Purpose-Driven Mission: Be part of a team dedicated to a sustainable and secure future for Europe.

As a Fibre Optics Engineer at Hades, you will own the high-power fibre optic subsystems at the heart of Cerberus, our fibre laser drilling system. Working hands-on in the lab, you'll optimise laser transmission through optical fibre for a downhole assembly — pushing power, efficiency, and reliability at the leading edge of high-power photonics. This is a foundational role with direct ownership over fibre integration, working closely with the optics, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to take our laser delivery system from lab prototype to field-ready hardware.

Responsibilities

• Undertake experimental work to optimise laser transmission through optical fibres for use in a downhole assembly
• Help develop and verify models and fibre metrology approaches to characterise high-power fibre performance
• Work hands-on in the lab with high-power fibre optics (CW, 100 W+), free-space optical components, and hollow-core / photonic crystal fibres
• Couple laser sources into optical fibres and optimise coupling efficiency
• Run Zemax / FEM simulations of high-power fibre propagation to support design and troubleshooting
• Collaborate closely with other engineering teams within the company to integrate fibre subsystems into the full prototype device

Qualifications

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual who possesses:

Background

• Master's degree or PhD, or significant hands-on experience, in high-power optical fibre environments and assembly of fibre optic components

Essential

• High-power experience (CW, 100 W+)
• Competent with free-space optical components
• Experience with hollow-core and photonic crystal fibres
• Lab experience working with high-power fibre optics
• Experience coupling into optical fibres
• Zemax / FEM simulations of high-power fibre propagation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Willing to reside in the greater Munich area

Desirable

• Mitigation of non-linear effects in fibre
• Knowledge of fibre coatings and different fibre materials
• Splicing and fibre handling
• Experience working in clean rooms
• Fibre cabling
• Fibre arrays
• Knowledge of fibre endcaps 

We offer

• An opportunity to make a huge impact on the future of Europe by increasing resilience and providing a path to resource and energy sovereignty
• A senior role with real ownership: you will shape the mechanical engineering function of a deep-tech company from its early days
• A human-centered company culture with super nice and supportive colleagues
• A great sense of community through team events and fun in and outside the office
• Highly competitive compensation, benefits and equity package

If you have built hardware that survives where most hardware fails, and you want to do it at the frontier of deep drilling, we'd like to hear from you. Apply with your CV and any other relevant documents, such as a portfolio, patents or publications.