Photonics Systems Engineer

Lightmatter; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 267,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plan

Retirement matching

Equity grants

Hybrid workplace

Generous time off

Job summary

Lightmatter is hiring a Photonics Systems Engineer to develop integrated and scalable silicon photonics AI communications and computation solutions. You will work closely with cross-disciplinary teams to assess feasibility, craft an engineering plan, and drive designs from concept to hardware validation.

You will navigate performance, power, reliability, and cost trade-offs while partnering with manufacturing and ecosystem vendors to deliver cutting-edge photonic systems.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field with ≥3 years post‑degree experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, and semiconductor physics.
• Strong understanding of silicon photonics and hands-on circuit design.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams and communicating complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills in challenging, non‑obvious domains.

Responsibilities

• Engage with cross-functional teams to design and deliver high-volume optical products.
• Collaborate with product and architecture teams to advance photonics concepts.
• Translate requirements into detailed engineering execution plans for photonics solutions.
• Work with electronics, photonics, mechanical, thermal, and packaging teams to meet performance, power, and cost targets.
• Define production test and validation protocols and analyze prototype to validation results.
• Coordinate with external vendors to ensure timely development and delivery of key components.

Skills

Photonics expertise

Silicon photonics design

Cross-functional collaboration

Clear communication

Problem solving

Technical leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Photonics / EE / Applied Physics

Job description

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!

We are hiring a Photonics Systems Engineer to join our photonics team. In this role, you will develop integrated and highly scalable 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 photonics 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.

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 photonics 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

• Engage with a cross-functional team to design and deliver a successful high-volume optical product
• Collaborate with product and architecture teams to drive photonics concepts
• Work closely with hardware and software teams to translate high level module product requirements and architecture specifications into a detailed engineering execution plan
• Actively collaborate across disciplines—with electronics, photonics, mechanical, thermal and package-design engineering teams—to build photonic 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. in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline, with at least 3 years of relevant post-degree experience (or equivalent)
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, and semiconductor physics
• Strong understanding of silicon photonics/hands-on circuit design experience
• 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

• Experience with control systems and system engineering
• Experience working in a high volume manufacturing environmentDemonstrated 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 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.: $200,000 USD - $267,000 USD

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 (applicable to full-time employees)

Benefits eligibility may vary depending on your employment status and location. 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.