Principal Engineer Silicon Photonics

The role

The Principal Engineer Silicon Photonics will lead product definition and drive cross-functional execution for next-generation optical interconnects. This role involves translating customer needs into technical requirements and guiding the development of packaged silicon photonics solutions.

What you will do

• Own and drive product requirements for next-generation optical interconnects.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with customers, foundry partners, and suppliers.
• Align internal engineering teams, external partners, and stakeholders around priorities and deliverables.
• Perform critical link analysis using simulation and modeling.
• Convert top-level product objectives into actionable requirements for silicon photonics, electronics, firmware, software, validation, and manufacturing.
• Guide the development of packaged silicon photonics solutions including co-packaged optics and optical I/O.
• Define the complete testing strategy from engineering verification to system integration.
• Define test methodologies, select equipment, and work hands-on in the lab.

Required qualifications

• Proven experience in a principal-level technical leadership role developing and delivering photonics-based products.
• Deep expertise in silicon photonics design, performance characteristics, and trade-offs.
• Direct experience with packaged silicon photonics or optical engine development, including packaging trade-offs, integration constraints, and manufacturing considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to perform optical link budget analysis using simulation and modeling.
• Experience defining product requirements and driving execution across hardware, firmware, software, validation, and manufacturing teams.
• Experience defining test plans (EVT, DVT, SVT) and test methodologies for optical systems.
• Ability to work effectively and drive decisions within a fast-paced, startup environment.
• Must be hands-on in a lab environment.

Nice to have

• Experience with test automation frameworks and scripting (e.g., Python).
• Direct experience working with hyperscale data center customers or suppliers on packaged optics, co-packaged optics, or optical I/O solutions.
• Experience with fiber attach technologies, optical assembly processes, and package-level integration challenges for silicon photonics products.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance
• Professional development opportunities and certification support
• Access to cutting-edge technology and cloud platforms
• Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams

About the company

Lumilens is building photonics infrastructure for AI supercomputing, including chip-to-chip optical interconnects and scalable photonic engines. It is a well-funded startup backed by Mayfield.