Senior Photonics Laser Architect for AI Data Centers

Lightmatter; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 212,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid workplace model

Equity grants

Health care (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Lightmatter is hiring a Senior Staff Laser Architect to lead the architecture of Guide and Data-SOA within the Laser System Architecture & Engineering team. You will define laser source technology, channel counts, wavelength grids, locking, and interfaces, turning requirements into verifiable specifications.

You will collaborate across electronics, photonics, mechanical, and thermal teams to optimize performance, power, and manufacturability, and you will influence technology choices for future

Qualifications

• PhD required in a closely related technical field.
• 8+ years building laser/optical transceiver solutions from concept to production.
• Proficient in Python for link-budget modeling and simulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication for multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical skills for ambiguous engineering challenges.
• Self-driven with collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the Guide laser architecture from concept through high-volume production.
• Define and own Data-SOA architecture in optical links.
• Deliver architecture specs and work with hardware/software teams.
• Collaborate with Passage team to align Guide and Passage architectures.
• Develop innovative high-performance laser solutions.
• Coordinate with electronics, photonics, mechanical, and thermal teams to meet specs.
• Define subsystem requirements for characterization, debug and validation.
• Validate architectures via testing of dies, prototypes, and modules.
• Work with test engineers to define production test protocols.
• Engage with external vendors for processes and components.
• Contribute to laser development roadmap and cost reduction.
• Publish and present ideas at photonics conferences.

Skills

PhD in Photonics or related field

8+ years in optical devices & PICs

Python modeling & Monte Carlo

Strong communication skills

Analytical problem solving

Self-driven & collaborative

Education

PhD in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics

Tools

None

Job description

Lightmatter is hiring a Senior Staff Laser Architect to lead the architecture of Guide and Data-SOA within the Laser System Architecture & Engineering team. You will define laser source technology, channel counts, wavelength grids, locking, and interfaces, turning requirements into verifiable specifications.

You will collaborate across electronics, photonics, mechanical, and thermal teams to optimize performance, power, and manufacturability, and you will influence technology choices for future