This interview with Jens Milnikel, EVP & GM, CMOS Sensors ASICs (CSA) at ams OSRAM, reveals not just the technologies and strategies driving the CSA business of ams OSRAM, but the human stories, partnerships, and vision that set it apart as a true leader in the future of sensing solutions.
Can you describe your company’s founding vision and how it has evolved to address the changing landscape of the semiconductor industry?
At ams OSRAM, our founding vision centers on “Sense the power of light”. This goes beyond technology – it reflects our mindset to explore not only the visible spectrum but also the invisible, sensing opportunities before they become apparent to others. This vision has evolved alongside shifting markets and technologies. The merger of the deep sensing expertise from ams with the leading light-emitting capabilities provided by OSRAM has created a unique synergy, enabling the combined company to address global megatrends like digitalization, energy efficiency and sustainability, and smart living. This joint heritage underpins our commitment to innovation and positions us to meet the evolving demands of the semiconductor industry.
What core sensing technologies and innovations differentiate your company?
As a global leader in optical solutions, our strength and reputation stems from over 40 years of innovation and thought leadership in design and in-house manufacture, collaborating with partners and customers at the forefront of technological advancements. We are proud to hold key leadership positions, including being leading in light sensors and medical imaging detectors. This leadership is rooted in our unmatched core technological expertise – specialized CMOS processes engineered for specific demands, including highest precision, miniaturization, and low power consumption. We are an end-to-end provider for customized solutions for industrial, automotive, medical and consumer applications.
What makes your approach to customer collaboration unique?
With our extensive experience in customized sensing solutions, we co-create with leading industry players and help them to reduce their bill of materials while accelerating their time-to-market. ams OSRAM is more than a design house – we offer full in-house capabilities, from ASIC design through manufacture and efficient testing, all while ensuring that our customers’ IP is protected throughout the process. Innovative technologies like photon counting for medical imaging showcase our ability to deliver precision and reliability where it matters most.
How does your company drive innovation across the semiconductor ecosystem?
Innovation is embedded in our global R&D network, supported by our experienced teams of engineers across R&D centers worldwide. These centers are strategically located close to our customers and strengthened through strong partnerships with universities and research institutions. We actively drive innovation supported by our yearly Innovation Days, which create space for breakthrough ideas, ensuring that our innovations are enabling next-generation applications across automotive, industrial, medical, and consumer markets.
Beyond your current product portfolio, what emerging technologies are you actively researching or developing, and what are the potential applications and market opportunities?
We continue to push the boundaries of sensing technology by advancing innovations rooted in our CMOS design and manufacturing expertise, combined with sophisticated optoelectronics and packaging solutions. Key developments include spectral color sensing behind OLED displays in smartphones and wearables and direct time-of-flight (dToF) sensors with multi-zone depth map processing for autonomous systems. Our technological edge is built on expertise in specialized CMOS processes, engineered for precision, miniaturization, and ultra-low power consumption. We push the boundaries of sensing by combining high-performance CMOS design with advanced technologies like Through Silicon Vias (TSV) and optical filters.
How does your company’s culture and organizational structure support innovation and adaptation to rapid technological advancements?
In the CMOS Sensors and ASICs (CSA) Business Unit that I lead, our identity is best described by “Sensing the unseen.” This means we operate at the edge of what is possible, transforming physical signals – such as heartbeats or light waves – into actionable data. Personally, I have learned that fostering innovation requires giving teams the freedom to experiment and collaborate with global technology leaders to drive meaningful impact. Our guiding principles – innovation, collaboration, accountability and quick and effective decision making – are not just words. They guide how we work as one global, diverse team and respond to challenges with agility. We have built a collaborative culture across business lines, and I make it a priority to listen, learn, and adapt alongside my teams. The best ideas often come from those closest to the challenge.
Which market segments or applications are shaping your strategic direction?
We observe a need for our solutions across all applications, including consumer and wearables, medical, mobility, and industry. For example, our spectral color sensor next to the cameras in mobile devices enables high quality, true-to-life pictures. In medical applications, our sensor solutions support precision diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures. Industrial automation also benefits from our expertise in sensing and customized solutions, particularly in areas like human-machine interaction, safety and AI-driven automation for smarter factories.
Which technologies are currently shaping innovation in the semiconductor industry?
Our ultra-precise sensors are driving Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) applications by delivering high quality, real-time data for edge systems. At ams OSRAM, our portfolio – from dToF and image sensors to spectral and temperature sensors – supports intelligent, responsive solutions across healthcare, wearables, robotics, industrial automation, and mobility. We are also integrating AI into both our manufacturing and product design, enabling smarter, more adaptive sensing solutions.
What role do you see your company playing in shaping the semiconductor industry?
We aim to lead through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Our recent investment in European-based manufacturing capabilities reflects a commitment to building a resilient global ecosystem and strengthening regional supply chains. By ensuring long-term supply stability, we help safeguard critical technologies for our customers and partners. Through active participation in industry initiatives and strategic partnerships, we contribute to shaping the semiconductor landscape and fostering long-term technological excellence. Our manufacturing sites for sensors and sensor interfaces play a pivotal role in driving this innovation and operational excellence globally.
They are located in Austria (design and manufacturing eco-system including advanced technologies like Through Silicon Vias/TSV and optical filters), in Singapore (Design and Test Center), and in Philippines (Test Center).
What are your strategies for attracting and retaining top talent to support your long-term technological vision?
Talent is our most valuable asset and so we invest in our team, offering them technical and leadership development programs. Our global design centers collaborate closely with universities and innovation hubs to attract new talent. We are proud to already have so many highly skilled and even some of the best engineers in our company, and we are continuously shaping our working environment to attract even more talent. Personally, I believe in creating a space where people feel empowered to contribute, learn, and grow.
Biography
Jens Milnikel is Executive Vice President and General Manager of CMOS Sensors and ASICs at ams OSRAM and a member of the Executive Committee. With over 20 years of experience in semiconductors, engineering, and lighting, he has led strategy, restructuring, and integration efforts. Since joining OSRAM in 2019 and taking his current role in 2023, he has driven the growth and positioning of the advanced sensing and semiconductor solutions of ams OSRAM across multiple industries.
