Lightmatter · 2 weeks ago
Photonics Technical Lead
Mountain View, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$210K/yr - $256K/yr
8+ years expLightmatter is leading the revolution in AI data center infrastructure, focusing on advanced photonics solutions. The Photonics Technical Lead will develop scalable laser solutions for silicon photonics, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to meet product requirements and validate system performance.
AI InfrastructureArtificial Intelligence (AI)Data CenterMachine LearningSemiconductorSoftware
Responsibilities
Engage with a cross-functional team to design and deliver a successful high-volume laser product
Collaborate with product and architecture teams to drive new laser concepts
Work closely with hardware and software teams to translate high level laser module product requirements and architecture specifications into a detailed engineering execution plan
Engage in problem-solving to resolve design and manufacturing challenges for innovative high-performance laser solutions
Actively collaborate across disciplines—with electronics, photonics, mechanical, thermal and package-design engineering teams—to build laser 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
Qualification
Required
A Ph.D. degree in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or similar discipline with at least 3 years of post-degree relevant experience, or equivalent experience
Minimum 8 years of experience in photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, and semiconductor physics
Strong understanding of silicon photonics
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
Strong understanding of laser physics
Experience in lasers or silicon photonics for datacom applications
Experience with control systems and system engineering
Experience working in a high volume manufacturing environment
Demonstrated 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
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)
Company
Lightmatter
Lightmatter develops photonic chips that enable data processing and communication using light instead of electricity.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Lightmatter has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (21)
2024 (12)
2023 (5)
2022 (4)
2021 (4)
2020 (4)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$822MKey Investors
T. Rowe PriceViking Global InvestorsGoogle Ventures
2024-10-16Series D· $400M
2023-12-19Series C· $155M
2023-05-31Series C· $154M
Leadership Team
Nicholas Harris
Founder, CEO
B
Bob Turner
Sr. VP Sales & Solution Architecture
Recent News
2025-11-23
2025-10-09
Company data provided by crunchbase