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Black Semiconductor

Graphene photonics enable optical chip interconnects

Ingenieur Automatisierungstechnik / Automatisierungstechniker

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's
Aachen, Germany
Hybrid
Electrical EngineeringControls & Automation Engineering

About the job

Requirements
  • Completed vocational training as an automation electronics technician with further training as a state-certified technician, or a completed degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering, or a comparable field.
  • Several years of practical experience with industrial SCADA and PLC systems in a production or industrial environment, ideally in operation, maintenance, or commissioning.
  • Strong knowledge of Siemens S7 controllers (TIA Portal / STEP 7) and experience diagnosing and troubleshooting operating systems.
  • Experience with SCADA systems, ideally Siemens WinCC OA or Yokogawa DCS Centum; knowledge of comparable platforms is also welcome.
  • Practical experience with field instrumentation, loop checks, signal diagnosis, and reading P&IDs, circuit diagrams, and I/O lists.
  • A structured, independent working style and strong quality awareness.
  • Very good English skills; German skills are an advantage.
Responsibilities
  • Own the operation, monitoring, and continuous optimization of the FMCS to ensure uninterrupted factory operations.
  • Maintain, diagnose, and adapt SCADA and PLC systems, especially Siemens WinCC OA or Yokogawa DCS Centum and Siemens S7 controllers.
  • Analyze and resolve faults, alarms, and communication problems in utility and production equipment during ongoing operations.
  • Conduct loop checks, signal tests, and troubleshooting on field devices, instruments, and automation components.
  • Maintain and develop the system by integrating new data points, visualizations, reports, and alarm concepts, and ensure technical documentation is up to date.
  • Act as the technical contact for external service providers, suppliers, and auditors, and support qualifications, acceptance testing, and change-control processes.

About the company

Black Semiconductor develops chips that combine graphene-based photonics with traditional electronics to enable optical chip-to-chip communication. Its process embeds optical components into the outer layers of CMOS-like chips, allowing electrons to be converted to photons and back via graphene acting as a translator. This integration aims to overcome interconnect bottlenecks, enabling multiple chips to act as a single faster, more energy-efficient system for AI hardware, data centers, HPC, and autonomous driving. The company plans wafer-scale fabrication with a 300mm FabONE in Aachen, targeting pilot production by 2027 and mass production by 2031, supported by European funding and equity investors.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$287.4M

Headquarters

Aachen, Germany

Founded

2020

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Critical Manufacturing started FabONE MES work in December 2025, signaling real construction progress.
  • RWTH Aachen honored Black Semiconductor on 5 September 2026, boosting local talent and partner credibility.
  • LinkedIn showed 141 employees in July 2026, indicating hiring momentum across process, packaging, and facilities.

What critics are saying

  • FabONE still lacks proven pilot production; one process failure delays 2027 output and 2031 volume.
  • €228.7 million public support ties survival to German and NRW budget discipline and IPCEI milestones.
  • Intel, Broadcom, and silicon-photonics incumbents can outspend Black Semiconductor before first revenues.

What makes Black Semiconductor unique

  • Black Semiconductor integrates graphene photonics and CMOS electronics on one wafer, not separate packages.
  • FabONE in Aachen targets the world’s first 300mm graphene photonic pilot fab.
  • Applied Nanolayers brought in-house graphene production, shortening its scaling path versus pure fabless rivals.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Stock Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-3%

2 year growth

4%
BISinfotech
Dec 2nd, 2025
Black Semiconductor Partners with Critical Manufacturing for FabONE Automation

Black Semiconductor partners with Critical Manufacturing for FabONE automation. FabONE facility leverages advanced MES and ai-enabled automation for next-generation graphene-based semiconductor production. Critical Manufacturing, a leading provider of Manufacturing Operations Platforms (MOP), has been chosen by Black Semiconductor GmbH to deliver the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and automation backbone for the company's new 300mm semiconductor wafer facility, FabONE, in Aachen. The state-of-the-art facility will scale Black Semiconductor's graphene-based chip interconnect technology into a mass-production environment, representing one of Europe's most ambitious semiconductor innovation projects. FabONE: A next-generation greenfield semiconductor fab. FabONE is a fully automated greenfield frontend fab, designed from the ground up for high-efficiency semiconductor production. Black Semiconductor conducted a competitive Request for Proposal (RfP) to select a partner capable of managing the complexities of a next-generation fab. Critical Manufacturing's proven expertise in automated frontend semiconductor facilities was a key factor in its selection. "FabONE represents a significant step for our technology enablement and for the European semiconductor ecosystem," said Samivel Krishnamoorthy, Senior Director of Fab Automation & Integration at Black Semiconductor. "Critical Manufacturing's complete MOM capabilities give us the foundation to achieve production maturity quickly, reliably, and at scale." Comprehensive MES and automation capabilities. Critical Manufacturing will provide a full suite of MES modules for FabONE, integrated with: * Equipment Integration (EI) via Connect IoT modules * Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) connectivity * ERP system integration * AI-enabled data platform for advanced analytics and decision-making Once operational, FabONE is designed to run with minimal operator intervention, enabling Black Semiconductor to validate process stability, demonstrate manufacturability, and progress toward volume production. Advancing European semiconductor innovation. For Critical Manufacturing, the FabONE project represents a major milestone in Europe. The company has extensive experience in automation frameworks for compound semiconductors and microelectronics, and FabONE showcases its readiness to support advanced 300mm frontend semiconductor manufacturing. "Graphene-based chip interconnects are a bold step for the industry," said Tom Bednarz, Managing Director at Critical Manufacturing Germany. "Turning that vision into a production-capable reality requires an MES that can keep pace with constant innovation. We are proud to support Black Semiconductor with a highly automated and adaptable platform." Driving data-driven, industry 4.0 manufacturing. The partnership highlights the growing importance of digital infrastructure in semiconductor competitiveness. By combining Critical Manufacturing's MES expertise with Black Semiconductor's cutting-edge technology, FabONE is positioned to become a cornerstone of next-generation semiconductor manufacturing in Europe, setting new standards for automation, efficiency, and scalability.

Hot Showbiz
May 12th, 2025
Black Semiconductor raises €254.4M for chips

Black Semiconductor has raised €254 million to develop graphene-based chips, providing a significant boost to the European semiconductor sector. The funding aims to support new hardware and software innovations, potentially creating new industries and niches. The European Space Agency (ESA) is also exploring new battery technologies for space missions, seeking alternatives to Russian plutonium. This development could enhance opportunities for European startups, particularly in markets like Dubai.

Hot Showbiz
May 3rd, 2025
Black Semiconductor raises €254.4M for chips

Black Semiconductor has raised €254 million for its graphene-based chips, providing a significant boost to the European semiconductor sector. The investment aims to enhance infrastructure, particularly in low-income urban and rural areas, and improve supply chains for clean industries. The initiative aligns with broader goals of promoting economic security, clean water, and environmental justice.

Black Semiconductor
Mar 28th, 2025
Press Release: Black Semiconductor acquires Applied Nanolayers

Black Semiconductor acquires material specialist Applied Nanolayers to accelerate technology development of energy-efficient, high-performance chip technology.

Black Semiconductor
Mar 28th, 2025
[Press Release] Black Semiconductor acquires material specialist Applied Nanolayers - Black Semiconductor

Black Semiconductor, a chip connectivity pioneer integrating photonics and electronics on the same wafer, has announced the acquisition of Applied Nanolayers (ANL).