{"id":621958,"url":"https://alion.io/job/lumilens-optical-systems-engineer-lead","title":"Optical Systems Engineer Lead","company":{"id":678172,"name":"Lumilens","domain":"lumilens.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/lumilens","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":89,"open_postings":56,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.25,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":118,"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Jose, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":153000,"max_usd":290000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":609},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-18T00:38:49Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-06-18","last_verified_at":"2026-10-21T03:24:16Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":125,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":124},"description":"About Lumilens\nAt Lumilens we are building the critical photonics infrastructure that powers tomorrow’s AI supercomputing. From chip-to-chip optical interconnects to scalable photonic engines, Lumilens is unlocking a new era of computing - faster, cooler, and massively more efficient.\nWe’re a well-funded startup backed by Mayfield and led by veterans who’ve built and scaled some of the most transformative technologies in the industry. At Lumilens, we’re developing high-speed photonics products purpose-built to power the future of AI infrastructure and high-performance computing.\nThis isn’t incremental innovation, it’s a ground-floor opportunity to rethink the optical layer from the silicon up. You’ll work alongside a team of world-class engineers solving some of the hardest challenges in scaling optical systems. Every line of code, every design decision, every breakthrough you help deliver will shape the infrastructure of tomorrow. If you're looking for mission, momentum, and the chance to make an outsized impact, jump on the rocket ship. We’re just getting started.\nAbout the Role\nAs 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.\nPrimary Duties & Responsibilities\nLead and mentor a team in the design of optical transceiver products from concept through implementation.\n\nDefine 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.\n\nGuide 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.\n\nSet and drive the definition of verification testing requirements for both transceivers and components.\n\nOversee analysis of the impact of impairments such as noise, crosstalk, non-linearity, and reflections on system performance.\n\nSupport the team in conducting both numerical and analytical simulations to assess optical system behavior under realistic operating conditions.\n\nEnsure simulation models are correlated with experimental data at module and component levels.\n\nMinimum Qualification Required\nDemonstrated leadership experience in transceiver design and high-speed optical communication systems and components.\n\nFamiliarity with direct-detection and coherent optical communication architectures.\n\nExpertise in modeling optoelectronic components (e.g., lasers, modulators, photodiodes, DAC, ADC, driver, TIA) using tools such as VPIphotonics, MATLAB, or Python.\n\nFamiliarity with advanced DSP techniques, such as linear and decision-feedback equalization (FFE/DFE).\n\nKnowledge of modeling on common impairments in high-speed optical links.\n\nHands-on experience with high-speed optical component measurements using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other relevant equipment.\n\nStrong communication and team leadership skills.\n\nWillingness to travel (~20% of the time).\n\nEducation & Experience\nMS or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related technical field\n\nWhat We Offer\nCompetitive salary commensurate with experience\n\nComprehensive benefits package, including health insurance\n\nProfessional development and certification opportunities\n\nAccess to cutting-edge optical/photonics test environments and tools\n\nA collaborative, cross-functional team dedicated to solving some of the hardest challenges in photonics\n\nEqual 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 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