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Lightmatter is a venture-backed photonics company that has raised $400M (Series D, $4.4B valuation) to commercialize 3D-stacked photonics engines for AI data center infrastructure. The company's Passage™ platform connects thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light for extreme-scale AI and HPC workloads.
You will be the hands-on technical owner for bring-up, characterization, and validation of Lightmatter's laser modules and photonic systems, taking products from first-light through manufacturing qualification and production hand-off. This is a high-impact individual-contributor role with direct ownership of test plan development, characterization execution, and the data that drives module specifications.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead optical performance optimization and initial bring-up for Guide™ Laser modules; define and execute bring-up sequences from unpowered to full operating condition
- Develop and own the bringup-to-eVT hand-off package: measurement summary, pass/fail criteria, and known-good reference data
- Own characterization campaigns involving Guide and Passage-based optical links, including end-to-end link validation, channel optimization, and margin verification
- Develop structured manufacturing and characterization test plans aligned to photonics-control specs; define measurement protocols, calibration sequences, and acceptance criteria
- Write and maintain Python or MATLAB measurement automation scripts for optical, electrical, and thermal test sequences; build data pipelines to surface yield signatures and process trends
- Author clear characterization reports capturing methodology, results, and recommendations; communicate findings to cross-functional stakeholders
- Partner with the team on laser-safety interlock validation and controller characterization flows
- Interface with production on test plan deployment, NPI transitions, and manufacturing scale-up
Required qualifications: BS + 8 years, MS + 6 years, or PhD + 3 years in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, or related field. Hands-on experience characterizing laser modules (DFB lasers, optical amplifiers, coherent sources) in research or NPI environment. Proficiency with core photonics lab equipment (OSA, optical power meters, LCA, high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, signal generators). Experience building or executing structured test plans for optical or electro-optic assemblies. Proficiency with Python or MATLAB scripting for measurement automation and statistical data analysis. Strong written communication skills. Familiarity with SPC, gauge R&R, or JMP for production yield analysis.
Preferred: laser module NPI/EVT/manufacturing bring-up workflows; TEC/thermal control loops; silicon photonics–III-V heterogeneous integration; optical link budgets and system-level characterization.
