Advanced Photonics Manager, SiPh Platform Engineering

Location: Malta

About Global Foundries:

Global Foundries is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world's most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, Global Foundries makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit

Summary of Role:

The inevitable transition from electrons to photons for high-speed communications and computing is transforming the semiconductor industry. Silicon Photonics is a dynamic and rapidly growing market that Global Foundries has committed to invest in.

The Silicon Photonics Product Line is seeking a leader for the Advanced Photonics team that is focused on driving the definition and realization of next-generation photonic devices and system architectures that are closely aligned with near-term customer and market needs. The leader will provide technical vision, architectural leadership, and people management for a small, highly technical senior team. This role requires deep technical expertise in photonics and systems, strong customer-facing capabilities, and proven leadership in building and guiding high-impact technical teams.

The Advanced Photonics team will translate industry trends and customer requirements into executable architectures, device concepts, and development programs with clear paths to productization.

Essential Responsibilities:

* Technical & Strategic Leadership

* Define and drive the next generation roadmap for advanced photonic devices, aligned to business and customer needs.

* Lead the architecture and design of advanced photonic building blocks and subsystems.

* Translate system‑level requirements into device‑level and platform‑level innovation that can be industrialized rapidly.

* Serve as a senior technical authority on advanced photonics within the company, shaping internal strategy and external positioning

* Customer Engagement & Co‑Development

* Collaborate closely with customer development teams on next‑generation photonic systems and architectures.

* Act as a technical counterpart to senior customer architects and technologists, influencing early system definitions and design choices.

* Ensure customer learnings are rapidly incorporated into device concepts and platform enhancements.

* Cross‑Functional Collaboration

* Partner closely with:

* gfLabs photonics team to transition longer‑term innovations into near‑term product opportunities.

* Silicon photonics development teams to ensure seamless integration into the product roadmap.

* Fab and foundry teams to align designs with manufacturing realities, yield, reliability, and scalability.

* Drive tight alignment across device design, process technology, packaging, and test.

* Industry Awareness & Technology Insertion

* Continuously track industry trends, standards, and competitive developments in photonics, AI interconnects, and advanced optical systems.

* Evaluate and selectively incorporate external innovations, ensuring differentiation and time‑to‑market advantage.

* People & Organizational Leadership

* Build, lead, and mentor a small, elite technical team, setting a high bar for technical rigor, execution, and collaboration.

* Provide clear technical direction, career development, and performance management for senior technical staff.

* Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and constructive technical debate.

Other Responsibilities:

Perform all activities in a safe and responsible manner and support all Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs.

Required Qualifications:

* Advanced degree (PhD strongly preferred) in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.

* Deep expertise in photonic devices and integrated photonics, with a strong understanding of system‑level implications.

* Demonstrated leadership of senior technical teams (Distinguished / Principal‑level engineers or equivalent).

* Experience working across device, system, and manufacturing domains in a product‑driven environment.

* Proven ability to engage…