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!

If you're passionate about tackling complex challenges, making an impact, and being an expert in your craft, join our team of brilliant scientists, engineers, and accomplished industry leaders.

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

About this Role

As a Principal Photonic Systems Architect, you will collaborate with both external partners and internal engineering teams to develop and deliver innovative, high-volume photonics products. In this role, you will design and define advanced architecture solutions, working closely with cross-disciplinary teams to model, analyze, and optimize system performance. You may also test and measure prototypes to validate models and design assumptions. Success in this role requires deep expertise in silicon photonics process technologies, advanced photonic designs, high-speed (40+ GHz) electro-optic interfaces, lasers, and packaging/assembly techniques. Strong creativity, analytical problem-solving, and effective communication are essential. You may also represent Lightmatter’s technical leadership by publishing research and presenting at premier industry conferences.

Join a tight-knit team where each individual’s contributions directly influence the success of the company and product. You'll have the opportunity to build a new kind of computer from the ground up and to solve groundbreaking challenges along the way. Work with people who love to build and who thrive in technically diverse environments where great ideas are prioritized.

*We are currently hiring for multiple levels for this role. Your level and compensation will be determined by your experience, education, and location.

Responsibilities: 

  • Drive innovative architecture solutions for high-performance optical interconnect and datacom products through creative problem-solving.
  • Define and specify system-on-chip (SoC), hardware, manufacturing, and link-level architecture requirements for cutting-edge optical interconnect systems.
  • Review, guide, and provide technical leadership to cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Collaborate across disciplines—including electronics, photonics, and mechanical engineering—to design and optimize systems, algorithms, circuits, and devices that meet performance, power, thermal, reliability, and production requirements.
  • Partner with engineering, product, and architecture teams to define requirements for system, circuit, characterization, debug, and validation.
  • Conduct system-level performance analysis, evaluating key metrics such as power consumption, latency, bandwidth, and cost.
  • Research and evaluate emerging optical interconnect technologies, and drive long-term technology roadmaps aligned with market trends and strategic objectives.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with internal teams on interface design, functionality, and comprehensive documentation.
  • Publish and present novel ideas, and participate in premier photonics conferences
  • Guide, coach, & mentor junior engineers and architects

This is not a complete listing of the responsibilities. It’s a representation of the things you will be doing 

Qualifications: 

  • A Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field with at least 8 years of relevant experience.
  • Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience in silicon photonics, photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, and semiconductor physics.
  • Minimum 8 years experience in architecting, modeling, and characterizing electro-optic interfaces and datacom links.
  • Minimum 2 years experience leading photonics and electronics engineering teams in SoC innovation.
  • Proven success in hardware bring-up, working collaboratively with silicon, package, and systems teams.
  • Expert-level knowledge in the design, deployment, and operation of optical interconnects, including lasers, thermal management, and packaging 
  • Proficiency with computational and simulation tools (e.g., in Matlab, Python, C, and/or commercial software packages, such as VPI Systems, Cadence Virtuoso, Keysight ADS, Lumerical) 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in mentoring junior engineers
  • Demonstrated strong problem solving skills specifically pertaining to problems that do not have obvious solutions
  • Deep understanding of market trends and application of optical interconnects
  • Strong track record in publications and patents is a plus
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Willing and able to learn quickly. Self-starter with a “no task is too big or small” attitude

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • 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
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Flexible, hybrid workplace model
  • Equity grants

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.

Export Control

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

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