Optical Systems Engineer Lead

About the Role

As the Optical Systems Engineer Lead at Lumilens, you will drive the development of next-generation optical-transceiver-based interconnect solutions for data center and AI applications. You will provide technical leadership, overseeing the design, modeling, and optimization of high-speed optical links—spanning laser and modulator selection, receiver performance, fiber-coupling strategies, and system-level tolerance analysis—to deliver exceptional bandwidth, efficiency, and reliability. Collaborating across IC, packaging, and reliability teams, you will ensure system requirements are translated into robust, manufacturable transceiver architectures scalable to the demands of hyperscale and AI-accelerated computing. Your leadership will directly influence how future systems move data at unprecedented speeds and power efficiencies, and you will mentor and guide a team of engineers to achieve these goals.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team in the design of optical transceiver products from concept through implementation.

Define system-level specifications and oversee the development of comprehensive end-to-end optical system models, including digital signal processing (DSP), drivers, transimpedance amplifiers (TIA), and optical components such as lasers, Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs), and photodetectors.

Guide and review signal integrity analysis and the implementation and simulation of digital equalization techniques such as FFE, DFE, MLSD, and pre-emphasis for signal integrity optimization.

Set and drive the definition of verification testing requirements for both transceivers and components.

Oversee analysis of the impact of impairments such as noise, crosstalk, non-linearity, and reflections on system performance.

Support the team in conducting both numerical and analytical simulations to assess optical system behavior under realistic operating conditions.

Ensure simulation models are correlated with experimental data at module and component levels.

Minimum Qualification Required

Demonstrated leadership experience in transceiver design and high-speed optical communication systems and components.

Familiarity with direct-detection and coherent optical communication architectures.

Expertise in modeling optoelectronic components (e.g., lasers, modulators, photodiodes, DAC, ADC, driver, TIA) using tools such as VPIphotonics, MATLAB, or Python.

Familiarity with advanced DSP techniques, such as linear and decision-feedback equalization (FFE/DFE).

Knowledge of modeling on common impairments in high-speed optical links.

Hands-on experience with high-speed optical component measurements using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other relevant equipment.

Strong communication and team leadership skills.

Willingness to travel (~20% of the time).

Education & Experience

MS or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related technical field

What We Offer

Competitive salary commensurate with experience

Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance

Professional development and certification opportunities

Access to cutting-edge optical/photonics test environments and tools

A collaborative, cross-functional team dedicated to solving some of the hardest challenges in photonics

Equal opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, identity, orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status