Optical Systems Engineer

Lumilens; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A cutting-edge photonics startup is seeking an Optical Systems Engineer to develop optical transceiver solutions for AI applications. You will design and optimize high-speed optical links while collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate has experience in transceiver design and high-speed communication, with relevant tools such as VPIphotonics and MATLAB. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits like health insurance and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in optical transceiver design and high-speed communication.
• Familiarity with direct-detection and coherent communication architectures.
• Hands-on experience with optical measurements using relevant equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of optical transceiver products from concept to implementation.
• Define specifications and develop end-to-end optical system models.
• Analyze impact of impairments on system performance.

Skills

Transceiver design

High-speed optical communication

DSP techniques

Optoelectronic components modeling

Signal integrity analysis

Communication skills

Education

MS or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, or Optics

Tools

VPIphotonics

MATLAB

Python

Job description

About Lumilens

At Lumilens we are building the critical photonics infrastructure that powers tomorrow’s AI supercomputing. From chip‑to‑chip optical interconnects to scalable photonic engines, Lumilens is unlocking a new era of computing – faster, cooler, and massively more efficient.

We’re a well‑funded startup backed by Mayfield and led by veterans who’ve built and scaled some of the most transformative technologies in the industry. At Lumilens, we’re developing high‑speed photonics products purpose‑built to power the future of AI infrastructure and high‑performance computing. This isn’t incremental innovation – it’s a ground‑floor opportunity to rethink the optical layer from the silicon up. You’ll work alongside a team of world‑class engineers solving some of the hardest challenges in scaling optical systems. Every line of code, every design decision, every breakthrough you help deliver will shape the infrastructure of tomorrow. If you’re looking for mission, momentum, and the chance to make an outsized impact, jump on the rocket ship. We’re just getting started.

About the Role – Optical Systems Engineer

As an Optical Systems Engineer at Lumilens, you will play a critical role in developing the next generation of optical‑transceiver‑based interconnect solutions for data center and AI applications. You will design, model, and optimize high‑speed optical links—spanning laser and modulator selection, receiver performance, fiber‑coupling strategies, and system‑level tolerance analysis—to deliver exceptional bandwidth, efficiency, and reliability. Collaborating closely with IC, packaging, and reliability teams, you will translate system requirements into robust, manufacturable transceiver architectures that scale with the growing demands of hyperscale and AI‑accelerated computing. Your work will directly shape how future systems move data at unprecedented speeds and power efficiencies.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the design of optical transceiver products from concept through implementation.
• Define specifications and develop comprehensive end‑to‑end optical system models, including digital signal processing (DSP), drivers, transimpedance amplifiers (TIA), and optical components such as lasers, Mach‑Zehnder modulators (MZMs), and photodetectors.
• Perform signal integrity analysis and implement and simulate digital equalization techniques such as FFE, DFE, MLSD, and pre‑emphasis for signal integrity optimization.
• Define verification testing requirements both for transceivers and components.
• Analyze the impact of impairments such as noise, crosstalk, non‑linearity, and reflections on system performance.
• Conduct both numerical and analytical simulations to assess optical system behavior under realistic operating conditions.
• Correlate simulation models with experimental data at both module and component levels.

Minimum Qualification Required

• Experience with transceiver design and high‑speed optical communication systems and components.
• Familiarity with direct‑detection and coherent optical communication architectures.
• Experience in modeling optoelectronic components (e.g., lasers, modulators, photodiodes, DAC, ADC, driver, TIA) using tools such as VPIphotonics, MATLAB, or Python.
• Familiarity with advanced DSP techniques, such as linear and decision‑feedback equalization (FFE/DFE).
• Knowledge of modeling common impairments in high‑speed optical links.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑speed optical component measurements using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other relevant equipment.
• Strong communication skills.
• Willingness to travel (~20% of the time).

Education & Experience

MS or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related technical field.

What we offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance.
• Professional development and certification opportunities.
• Access to cutting‑edge optical/photonics test environments and tools.
• A collaborative, cross‑functional team dedicated to solving some of the hardest challenges in photonics.
• Equal opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, identity, orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.