Grigorij’s journey in integrated photonics

Designing photonic chips isn’t straightforward. As the industry matures, customers also demand higher performance and higher yield from the entire process level. Someone needs to provide them with tools to meet these needs. This is where companies like Luceda Photonics enter the picture and where people like Grigorij Muliuk, employeneur at TMC, make a significant impact. “You need to innovate constantly because there are more companies coming in to the photonics market. We’re providing software tools that allow users to design more complex circuits in less time and with fewer errors.” 

From Erasmus to expert

Grigorij’s story began over a decade ago, when he arrived in Belgium as an Erasmus student. He studied electronics and telecommunications. Then he discovered the photonics program at Gent University. “I didn’t know much about what I wanted to do at that time. But once I learned about photonics it all made sense. I found my true calling.”  

After a short stay in his home country Lithuania, Grigorij came back to Belgium. He completed a master and then a doctorate at Gent University. After that, he joined the R&D centre at IMEC. He gained hands-on experience with semiconductor process engineering and semiconductor device physics. Over time, he began looking for a broader role. Something with more variation, communication and more room to grow. That’s when TMC entered the picture. 

A perfect match

Grigorij was approached through TMC for an open project at Luceda. This was a strong match. Luceda Photonics is a leading provider of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design software and services. The software, called Luceda Photonics Design Platform, enables designers to design, simulate, and optimize photonic chips. And it empowers PIC designers to quickly achieve their tape-out.  

These chips don’t use electricity like traditional semiconductors, but light. The benefits? Faster data transfer, lower energy consumption, and advances in internet speed, cloud services and sensing technologies. “Luceda offers advanced PIC design software for companies developing photonic chips. They don’t manufacture chips themselves; they empower others to do so more efficiently and accurately, helping them get their designs right the first time. This enables companies to create chips faster, accelerating time to market.” 

Grigorij’s role is to bridge the gap between technical needs and practical solutions. He works on the development and implementation of process design kits, essential for designing photonic chips that work with specific foundries. “You need to make sure the components you design can be fabricated. That’s where a relevant background and years of academic and R&D experience at IMEC become important.” 

But his strength is not just technical depth, but bridging the gap between engineering teams, customers and product innovation. In a field where both the technology and the industry are evolving, that ability to translate between domains is key.  

Thanks to his experience in R&D, Grigorij was able to quickly contribute to Luceda’s ambitions. “They work with manufacturers around the world. That matches perfectly with my background. I understand how chips are made, that helps us tailor our software tools to what designers and manufacturers actually need.” 

More than engineering

While his technical background is impressive, it’s Grigorij’s human side that makes him truly stand out. For him, consultancy is as much about listening as it’s about solving. “You need to talk to people, understand what they’re trying to achieve. Even if they’re not technical employees themselves. That’s what I like most about this role. Every conversation, even at the coffee machine, can lead to new ideas.”  

“I love the global aspect of working at Luceda. And I enjoy a company culture where everyone has something different to offer. We are working in a multi-cultural and a multi-disciplinary team. That’s a good thing. Together, we create the best products. Everyone contributes with their own expertise.”  

This is what he also values within the TMC network. “At TMC, I get to meet people outside of my own expertise. Business managers, engineers from other industries, and young graduates. I advise some of them, especially those entering the photonics world. It’s a small field, so sharing knowledge is important.” TMC is a community and Grigorij specifies that he learns a lot, and hopes to give back by guiding others.  

Shaping the future

The world of integrated photonics is evolving quickly. What was once a subject of research is becoming a commercial reality. There is more demand for mature, robust tools. Not just smarter software, but also better services. The market is competitive, and innovation is essential.  

As the photonics industry continues to grow, Grigorij is excited about what’s next. “We’ve seen how electronics transformed the world. Photonics is heading in the same direction. It will bring new jobs, new technologies, and new challenges. But we need to avoid some of the mistakes of the electronics industry. Like centralizing manufacturing too much in one region. We should build a more open, balanced ecosystem.” 

It's a future that will demand creativity, resilience and passion. And that’s exactly what drives Grigorij every day: “Solving problems gives me energy. Waking up and knowing you can make a difference. That’s a great feeling.”