Photonics Architect (Silicon Photonic Interconnect) at Lightmatter, Boston or Mountain View
Job Description
Lightmatter is hiring a photonics architect in Boston or Mountain View to define the micro-architecture of a photonic communication fabric for AI data centres. The architect proposes photonic designs (modulators, receivers, multiplexers, lasers and amplifiers), estimates their power, performance and area with the photonic design team, works with analogue engineers on high-bandwidth interconnect, and writes the architecture specifications. It reports to the senior director of architecture. A PhD is required.
At a glance
- Role: Photonics Architect
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts or Mountain View, California, USA
- Posted: 16 July 2026
- Pay: $150,000 to $220,000 base
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 13 October 2026)
About the photonics architect role
- Propose new photonic designs for modulators, receivers, multiplexers, lasers and amplifiers
- Estimate power, performance and area of photonic devices in Passage
- Work with analogue engineers on high-bandwidth photonic interconnects
- Write, review and validate architecture specifications
How the team works
The architect reports to the senior director of architecture and works closely with the photonic and analogue design teams to improve the power, performance and area of the next product. The posting describes a small team building a new kind of computer from the ground up, where ideas from any discipline are welcome.
Work authorisation
Lightmatter’s posting says candidates must be able to comply with US export control laws.
What Lightmatter is looking for
- A PhD in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics or a photonics-related discipline
- Deep knowledge of photonic devices and semiconductor physics
- Experience with integrated silicon photonics components
- Photonic simulation tools such as FDTD, Verilog-A or VPIphotonics (preferred)
- Strong problem solving on open problems
Pay and location
Lightmatter lists a base salary range of $150,000 to $220,000, plus new-hire and annual equity and benefits.
How to apply
Apply through the official Lightmatter job posting. Lightmatter’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 13 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
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Hiring institution: Lightmatter
Official advertisement: boards.greenhouse.io
How to prepare for this application
- Device breadth: be ready to compare modulator types (ring, MZM, EAM) on power and bandwidth.
- PPA thinking: show how you estimate power per bit for a link.
- Specs: bring an example of a specification you wrote for engineers.
- Research to product: PhD work in silicon photonics is directly relevant.
About Lightmatter
Lightmatter builds photonic chips for AI data centres. Its Passage product is a 3D-stacked photonics engine that links thousands of processors with light instead of copper wires.
