Sr Staff Photonics Architect

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 Architect to join our team. In this role, you will develop integrated and highly scalable laser solutions for AI computation. You will work closely with cross-disciplinary engineering teams both internally and across our ecosystem of manufacturing partners to identify requirements, deliver engineering specifications, execute new product designs for laser solutions, and validate system performance on hardware. This role requires a deep understanding of laser physics as well as integrated 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 design 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 laser 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 laser product 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 Qualifications: Ph.D. degree in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or similar discipline Minimum 5 years of experience in photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, and semiconductor physics Strong understanding of laser physics and silicon photonics Experience closely collaborating with cross-functional teams 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 Strong ability to implement analog and photonics circuits in python to model the behavior of Lightmatter Laser products Preferred Qualifications: Experience in lasers for datacom applications 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 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. $176,000—$256,000 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.