Photonics IC Engineer - Tech Lead

About Lyte

Lyte builds perception systems for Physical AI operating in complex environments. The company combines custom silicon, integrated sensors, and software into a unified platform for robotics, mobility, and next-generation automation. Lyte is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with a global presence. For more information, visit www.lyte.ai

If you’re excited about building impactful technology in a dynamic, hands-on environment, we’d love to hear from you!

About the role

• We are seeking a highly motivated Photonics IC Technical Lead to join our team. In this role, you will lead the design and development of silicon photonics devices, sub-systems, and PICs, while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary engineering team. This role involves design, tapeout, and test from wafer level to module level. This position requires deep expertise in photonic IC design and tapeout, electromagnetics, packaging, and semiconductor physics. You should have a strong understanding of both passive and active components, with extensive experience using EDA tools and conducting laboratory testing.

What you'll do

• Lead the design of high-performance, manufacturable passive and active Silicon photonics components
• Create and optimize photonics layouts and contribute to tapeouts
• Perform comprehensive simulations and modeling to get the first designs right
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to design methodology improvements
• Create detailed design documentation and technical specifications
• Develop and implement test plans, procedures, and methodologies for wafer level, chip level, eval board level to sub-module level testing
• Troubleshoot and debug test setups and design issues, identifying and resolving challenges
• Perform test measurements and data analysis to characterize device performance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product improvements and resolve technical challenges
• Support the transition of designs from R&D into high-volume manufacturing

Required Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in photonic device design, optimization and layout
• Deep understanding of integrated photonics and optical systems
• Proficiency in photonic simulation tools like Lumerical, Tidy3d, COMSOL
• Portfolio of designed and demonstrated photonic components or systems
• Ability to translate system requirements into photonic design specifications
• Experience in photonics wafer level and chip level testing
• Experience developing software in Python, C, C++, or MATLAB
• Experience building and debugging complicated optical systems involving lasers

Preferred Qualifications

• Good understanding in coherent communication, signal integration, integrated optics, and semiconductor physics
• Experience with lasers, free-space and fiber optics, signal processing, data science, electronic IC design, opto-electronic packaging, and electrical engineering is a plus.
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a startup environment with ambiguity, speed, and high ownership

Benefits (subject to location and local regulations)

• Competitive salary and equity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible vacation and time-off policy
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work environment
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with a highly cross-functional team