Join Our Team as a Photonics System Engineer
Are you passionate about pushing the boundaries of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology? Lightium, a cutting-edge photonics startup, is seeking a skilled Photonics System Engineer to lead the system-level design and requirements engineering for both internal and external customers utilizing Lightium’s proprietary thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform. This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the next generation of photonics solutions while collaborating with top academic institutions.
Position Summary
As a Photonics System Engineer at Lightium, you will define, implement, and apply state-of-the-art requirements tracking methodologies and tools, ensuring success for our TFLN-based foundry services. Your work in deriving system-level architectures and collaborating with our customers and Lightium’s reference designs will be critical in achieving first-time right designs for complex electro-optical high-speed systems, crucial for our growth as a customer-centric organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Process Development: Define and implement best-in-class requirements management methods and standard operating procedures for Lightium’s high-speed electro-optical TFLN-based PIC technology in collaboration with stakeholders.
- Technical Work: Define system-level architectures for various chip designs, focusing on areas such as coherent communications, IMDD, quantum, radio-over-fiber, and PON. Familiarity with IEEE standards such as IEEE 803.2ba, including 100 GbE LR4, 400 GbE DR4, and 1.6 ZR, is advantageous.
- Requirements Management: Benchmark and select requirements management tools, implement them, and train colleagues in system engineering practices. Experience with PLM systems at an industrial level is beneficial.
- Collaboration: Work closely with R&D teams from design through to optical testing and characterization, contributing to cross-functional projects aimed at advancing our TFLN technologies. Occasional travel to customer and prospect locations may be required.
- Documentation and Reporting: Maintain comprehensive documentation, report findings, and establish standard operating procedures while also training new team members.
- Innovation: Stay informed on the latest advancements in photonics and incorporate new techniques into our metrology landscape, contributing to Lightium’s intellectual property portfolio.
What You’ll Bring
- Educational Background: An advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in Communication, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.
- Experience: A minimum of 3 years in RF and optical system design at an industrial level, along with ISO-compliant requirements engineering. Experience in integrated photonics platforms such as TFLN, silicon photonics, SiN, InP, or other related systems is preferred.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in system-level, block-level, and component-level requirement tracking based on the V development model, with a strong understanding of system architectures in photonics, particularly coherent transmitters and receivers. Experience in quantum computing systems would be an asset.
- Organization & Documentation: Strong organizational skills to manage work across multiple facilities, accurately document results, and adhere to best practices for maintaining confidentiality.
- Collaboration: Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging effectively within multidisciplinary teams and with international customers, tailoring communication styles to suit diverse cultural contexts.
- Adaptability: A readiness to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment, exhibiting flexibility and resilience in the face of change.
- Language Skills: Fluency in English; knowledge of German, French, or any Asian language is a plus.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and benefits package, including an employee stock option plan (ESOP) and fully-covered Pillar Two.
- A generous vacation policy.
- A unique opportunity to lead a pioneering manufacturing initiative in the rapidly evolving field of photonics.
- A collaborative and innovative work environment, where your contributions will help shape the future of telecommunications, datacom, and more.
Final Thoughts
If you're enthusiastic about building new technologies from the ground up and thrive in a collaborative, results-driven environment, we want to hear from you. Join our motivated and energetic team at Lightium, where you will have the unique opportunity to grow and develop your professional skills rapidly. Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Lightium is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.