Photonics Technical Lead

Lightmatter is leading the revolution in AI data center infrastructure, enabling the next giant leaps in human progress. The company invented the world’s first 3D‑stacked photonics engine, Passage™, capable of connecting thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light in extreme‑scale data centers for the most advanced AI and HPC workloads.

Lightmatter raised $400 million in its Series D round, reaching a valuation of $4.4 billion. We will continue to accelerate the development of data center photonics and grow every department at Lightmatter!

Lightmatter is (re) inventing the future of computing with light!

We are hiring a Photonics Technical Lead to join our laser development team. In this role, you will develop integrated and highly scalable laser solutions for silicon photonics AI communications and computation. You will work closely with cross‑disciplinary engineering teams both internally and across our ecosystem of manufacturing partners to assess the technical feasibility of product requirements, develop an engineering plan to meet architectural specifications, execute new product designs for laser solutions, and validate system performance on hardware.

This role requires a deep understanding of complex multi‑domain platforms as well as integrated silicon photonics and the requirements of datacom systems. You will navigate the design space of performance, schedule, reliability, power consumption, and cost, working in tandem with stakeholders across the company to identify optimal and innovative engineering solutions. Creativity, analytical skills, and clear communication skills are a necessity.

Responsibilities

• Engage with a cross‑functional team to design and deliver a successful high‑volume laser product

• Collaborate with product and architecture teams to drive new laser concepts

• Work closely with hardware and software teams to translate high‑level laser module product requirements and architecture specifications into a detailed engineering execution plan

• Engage in problem‑solving to resolve design and manufacturing challenges for innovative high‑performance laser solutions

• Actively collaborate across disciplines—with electronics, photonics, mechanical, thermal and package‑design engineering teams—to build laser systems, control algorithms, PICs, and control ASICs that meet performance, power, and production requirements

• Collaborate with control‑system and test engineers to define production test and validation protocols, as well as to characterize components and debug test results from prototype level to validation

• Work with external vendors to ensure timely development and delivery of key processes and components

Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or similar discipline with at least 3 years of post‑degree relevant experience, or equivalent experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, and semiconductor physics

• Strong understanding of silicon photonics

• Experience of closely collaborating with cross‑functional engineering teams, like photonics design, packaging, thermal, system engineering and firmware to name a few.

• Ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders with strong and clear communication

• Demonstrated strong problem‑solving skills specifically pertaining to problems that do not have obvious solutions

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of laser physics

• Experience in lasers or silicon photonics for datacom applications

• Experience with control systems and system engineering

• Experience working in a high‑volume manufacturing environment

• Demonstrated technical leadership of a cross‑functional team

• Willing and able to learn quickly, self‑starter with a “no task is too big or small” attitude

We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role is determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.

Salary Range: total compensation goes beyond base salary, it also includes a new hire equity grant, annual performance‑based equity, and other rewards that recognize your impact and contribution.

$210,000 - $256,000 USD

Benefits

• Retirement Savings Matching Program

• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

• Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

• Paid Family Leave

• Short Term & Long Term Disability

• Training & Development

• Flexible, hybrid workplace model

• Equity grants (applicable to full‑time employees)

Export Control

Candidates should have capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.

Lightmatter recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

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