Director of Laser Development (Boston and Mountain View)

Lightmatter builds chips for artificial intelligence computing that leverage unique properties of light for efficient computing and communications. If you're a collaborative engineering leader who has a passion for innovation, solving challenging technical problems, and doing impactful work...work like building the world's first optical computers and developing high-speed silicon photonics-based optical interconnect solutions, consider joining the team at Lightmatter!

We are hiring a Director of Engineering for our Laser Development Team. The selected candidate will partner with our Architecture Group, Packaging Team, and a dedicated team of laser engineers to deliver designs aligned to the requirements of our new generation of Passage photonic-based communication fabric products from definition through design, lab test, characterization, qualification, and volume product release. In this high-impact role, you will work closely with our Architecture, Photonic, Analog, and Packaging teams to define and optimize the design features needed to improve the power, performance, and area (PPA) of our laser solutions. This will require a solid understanding of silicon photonics platforms and process technology, state-of-the-art laser design, component-level design, physical design, and laser modeling as well as clear technical documentation and communication skills. We are particularly looking for someone with hands-on expertise in semiconductor optical amplifier technology, laser cavity design, and gain materials.

Join a tight-knit team where each individual’s contributions directly influence the success of the product and the company. You'll have the opportunity to build a new kind of computer and photonic interconnect solutions from the ground up and to solve groundbreaking challenges along the way. Work with people who love to build and who thrive in technically diverse environments where great ideas are prioritized.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team developing laser designs based on requirements from the architecture group
• Design innovative laser and amplifier solutions for photonic  product
• Work closely with the photonic engineering team to provide  performance, power, and area estimates for lasers and amplifiers to be used with our Passage products
• Actively collaborate with the analog and digital engineering teams to provide laser control and stabilization solutions
• Along with the packaging team, co-develop packaging designs and scale-out plans for Lightmatter’s laser solutions
• Own laser designs from concept through to tapeout, bench test, characterization, qualification  , and volume production release

Requirements

• PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or photonics
• 12+ years of in-depth knowledge of semiconductors, laser technology, semiconductor physics and silicon photonics
• Hands-on experience with tools and EDA flows used for photonic designs including simulation and modeling to validate critical laser performance parameters e.g. PhotonDesign tools
• Demonstrated track record of ownership of integrated laser development from definition through to volume production release
• Ability and desire to collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams working across multiple sites
• Proven expertise in advanced problem-solving, specializing in addressing complex issues with innovative and non-obvious solutions
• Previous experience as a manager or team lead

Preferred Qualifications 

• Previous experience working on laser product release into volume production

Professional and Cultural Characteristics

• A culture champion for Lightmatter, aligns with the company’s light-hearted culture
• Willing and able to learn quickly. Self-starter with a “no task is too big or small” attitude
• Collaborates well with others regardless of discipline
• Innovative and flexible; realizes that a one-size-fits-all approach will not always solve the problem at hand
• Data-driven and analytical; translates numbers into actionable strategies
• Process-oriented and programmatic: builds structure through processes that can be relied upon across the organization

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• 401k matching
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Paid Family Leave
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Flexible, hybrid workplace model
• Stock Option Plan

We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role, including all US locations, is $240,000-$300,000. Your base salary will be determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.

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.