Laser Architect

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
We are hiring a Laser Architect to join our team. In this role, you will develop integrated and highly scalable laser solutions for AI computation. You will collaborate with a cross-disciplinary engineering team both internally and across our ecosystem of manufacturing partners to identify requirements, deliver engineering specifications, execute new product designs for laser solutions, and validate system performance on hardware. This role requires a deep understanding of laser physics 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 design solutions. Creativity, analytical skills, and clear communication skills are a necessity.

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 innovative laser solutions from the ground up and tackle groundbreaking challenges. Work with people who love to build and who thrive in diverse technical environments where great ideas are prioritized.

Responsibilities

• Work with a cross-functional team to design and deliver a successful high-volume laser product
• Deliver laser module architecture specifications and work closely with hardware and software teams to define functionality, interfaces, and documentation
• Engage in problem-solving to develop innovative high-performance laser solutions
• Actively collaborate across disciplines—with electronics, photonics, mechanical, and thermal engineering teams—to design systems, control algorithms, PICs, and PMICs that meet stability, performance, power, and production requirements
• Engage with the engineering, product, sales, and architecture teams to define requirements for subsystems, device characterization, debug, and validation
• Validate architectures, models, and specifications via defining testplans and prototyping strategies for dies, prototype assemblies, and packaged modules
• Collaborate with test engineers and technicians to define production test and validation protocols, as well as to analyze and debug test results
• Work with external vendors to ensure timely development and delivery of key processes and components
• Contribute to the roadmap of laser development, improving performance, scalability, power consumption, and cost
• Publish and present novel ideas, and participate in premier photonics conferences

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or similar discipline with at least 5 years of post-degree relevant experience, or equivalent experience
• Minimum 12 years of experience in photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, and semiconductor physics
• Strong understanding of laser physics and silicon photonics
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to collaboratively define and deliver to product specifications
• 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

• Experience in lasers for datacom applications
• Experience working in a high volume manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated technical leadership of a cross-functional team
• Experience maturing a product from prototype stage to volume production
• 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.