Senior Software Engineer C++ at swave

At Swave Photonics, we’re not just dreaming about the future: we’re building it! We are a fabless semiconductor company that designs and markets holographic chips based on proprietary diffractive photonics technology. Our mission is to enable display manufacturers and content creators to disrupt the visualization market with immersive ultra-high resolution, life-like, true holographic displays. Imagine a world where holographic displays make the impossible possible, where visualization meets collaboration and transforms productivity. Joining Swave means being at the forefront of this revolution, shaping the future of immersive technology. To drive our ambitious vision, we’re opening a position of Senior C++ Developer. Role and responsibilities: As a Senior Software Engineer C++ at Swave, you will be the person who brings our cutting-edge holographic hardware display technology to life. Your mission is to develop, maintain & deploy a high-performance C++/CUDA desktop pipeline that runs advanced CGH (Computer-Generated Holography) methods and drives our Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) chips to display the computed hologram. The two together serve both as our primary customer-facing development kit/demo and as an essential internal testbed for our algorithmic R&D. Core Responsibilities • Pipeline Development: Support, maintain, and deploy our C++/CUDA codebase, enabling real-time holographic rendering for our devkit solutions. • Algorithm Integration: Implement and optimize various algorithm variants (from brute-force IFTA to more hardware-integration-friendly methods) to evaluate image quality and performance for projects like ONYX and Moonstone. • System Ownership: Take the lead on architectural changes and decisions to ensure the codebase remains flexible yet robust. • Strategic Roadmap: Help define the long-term software strategy, balancing the need for reliable customer releases with the volatile, fast-paced nature of holographic R&D. • Collaboration: Work closely with the Hardware and Algorithm teams (including stakeholders in Algorithm Engineering) to ensure software/hardware alignment. You will report to Joris Vanbiervliet, CGH Manager. Location: This role is based in Leuven, Belgium (Hybrid). What you bring to the table: • Deep C++ Expertise: Strong professional experience with C++20/23 and a solid algorithmic or mathematical foundation. • Software Rigor: A proven track record of delivering well-tested releases using modern CI/CD pipelines. • Graphics/Compute Power: Knowledge of CUDA and/or Qt is considered a significant advantage. • Technical Versatility: You are comfortable working in an environment where software meets hardware, potentially dealing with FPGA/RTL implementations. Bonus points: • Knowledge of MATLAB or Python for algorithm prototyping. • Familiarity with hardware-software co-design or FPGA (RTL) acquaintance. • Experience in high-performance computing or image processing. Soft Skills & Personality • Pragmatic Mindset: You focus on what works, balancing "perfect" code with the practical needs of a fast-moving startup. • Analytical Thinker: You enjoy deconstructing complex mathematical problems into efficient, scalable code. • Collaborative Spirit: You are eager to work in a small, high-impact team (3-5 members) and engage with diverse technical stakeholders. About Swave Photonics We are a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, with a growing presence in the US. Backed by seasoned leaders and a team of passionate engineers, we’re pioneering holographic technology at the intersection of optics, semiconductors, and systems design. At Swave, you’ll find: • A culture built on authenticity, trust, and openness. • A small but ambitious team with a bias for action. • An environment where creativity and purpose drive everything we do. • Space to take ownership, experiment, and see your ideas come to life. What we offer you: We believe the best work happens when people feel valued and inspired. That’s why we offer a competitive salary package tailored to your skills, expertise, and impact. At Swave, you’ll work at the cutting edge of optics and semiconductors, where every customer engagement drives adoption of technology that changes the world. We know life doesn’t fit neatly into a 9-to-5 schedule, so we put results before hours — with flexibility and remote options where it makes sense. Our headquarters in Leuven, a city alive with technology, culture, and creativity, provides the perfect backdrop for innovation and connection. Most importantly, you’ll be part of an informal and supportive team where authenticity matters. Here, you can bring your true self to work, share your ideas openly, and celebrate successes together.