Sr Staff Integrated Photonics Laser Systems Architect

Responsibilities

• For Guide, that means laser source technology, channel count and wavelength grid, wavelength locking and control, optical power splitting and monitoring, and the optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical interfaces of the Guide module.
• You will then write the specifications that our design and systems engineering teams build against.
• Define and own the Guide laser architecture, from concept through high-volume production
• Define and own the Data-SOA architecture in Lightmatter’s optical links
• Deliver laser module architecture specifications and work closely with hardware and software teams to define functionality, interfaces, and documentation
• Actively collaborate with Lightmatter Passage team to drive alignment between Guide and Passage product architectures
• 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 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 hands-on testing of 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

Requirements

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to articulate complex engineering concepts to multidisciplinary teams and executive leadership
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills with a proven capacity to tackle ambiguous, open-ended engineering challenges
• Self-driven initiative with a rapid learning curve and a collaborative, roll-up-your-sleeves mindset

Preferred

• Experience architecting lasers for datacom applications, such as external or integrated laser sources feeding CPO or optical I/O engines
• Experience with semiconductor optical amplifiers in datacom links: gain, noise figure, saturation, pattern effects and cross-gain modulation in WDM, and III-V/silicon heterogeneous SOA integration
• Solid foundation in semiconductor laser physics (comb sources, DFB, ECLs, RIN, linewidth, and thermal/wavelength locking) alongside silicon photonics integrated circuits
• Experience with silicon photonics circuit simulations
• Experience taking products into a high-volume manufacturing environment, including laser reliability and eye-safety qualification
• Demonstrated technical leadership of a cross-functional team
• Contributions to optical standards bodies (OIF, IEEE 802.3, MSAs), publications and patents

Qualifications

• PhD in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in optical devices, PICs, and semiconductor physics, with a track record of architecting laser or optical transceiver solutions from concept to volume manufacturing
• Expertise in mathematical modeling and simulation utilizing Python for link budget modeling, corner evaluation, and Monte Carlo simulations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with wavelength locking, thermal tuning and power-control loops, co-simulated against physical models
• 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.
• $185,000
• $233,000 CAD

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.