Lightmatter is leading the revolution in AI data center infrastructure, enabling the next giant leaps in human progress. The company invented the world’s first 3D-stacked photonics engine, Passage™, capable of connecting thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light in extreme-scale data centers for the most advanced AI and HPC workloads.
Lightmatter raised $400 million in its Series D round, reaching a valuation of $4.4 billion. We will continue to accelerate the development of data center photonics and grow every department at Lightmatter!
If you're passionate about tackling complex challenges, making an impact, and being an expert in your craft, join our team of brilliant scientists, engineers, and accomplished industry leaders.
Lightmatter is (re)inventing the future of computing with light!
We are seeking a technically strong and execution focused Test Engineering Manager to lead the test development, characterization, and validation of semiconductor lasers and photonic integrated circuits (PICs). You will drive the entire test lifecycle from prototyping through volume ramp, while also playing a critical role in program management, foundry coordination, and supply chain alignment. This role offers high impact and visibility in enabling Lightmatter next generation products.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define and implement test strategies for PIC characterization, validation, reliability, and manufacturing qualification.
- Oversee the design, deployment, and scaling of automated test setups for optical/electrical validation, including probe stations, active alignment systems, and temperature-controlled environments.
- Own and drive program-level milestones for test readiness, encompassing test plan definition, execution tracking, schedule risk mitigation, and cross-functional alignment.
- Engage with laser and integrated photonics design teams to establish design for test criteria and ensure efficient testability of device characterization DOEs and product designs.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with test, design, packaging, firmware, reliability, and systems teams to align test coverage with product and system-level requirements.
- Drive smooth transition of test flows from R&D to pilot and high-volume manufacturing, including SPC implementation, yield monitoring, and process optimization.
- Coordinate with external foundries, supply chain, and operations to align test capabilities with wafer/die delivery, production timelines, and sourcing constraints.
- Establish test plans with external component suppliers and review test reports.
- Manage relationships with capital equipment vendors, oversee tool procurement and calibration, and supervise outsourced test and reliability services as needed.
- Lead and mentor a team of test engineers supporting laser and photonics test activities at wafer, die and package levels.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics or related discipline.
- 12+ years of experience in photonics test engineering,
- 5+ years of people management experience
- Demonstrated experience building and scaling automated optical/electrical test systems.
- Proficiency in test automation environments (Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
- Experience with program tracking tools (e.g., JIRA, Asana, MS Project) and engineering documentation management.
Familiarity with reliability standards (e.g., Telcordia GR-468) and compliance (e.g., IEC 60825). - Strong analytical, organizational, and cross-functional communication skills.
- Experience in integrated photonics such as InP, SiPh, or hybrid platforms.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience collaborating with foundries and OSAT partners.
- Knowledge of supply chain operations and contract manufacturer test integration.
We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.
- Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Savings Matching Program
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Paid Family Leave
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Commuter Benefits
- Flexible, hybrid workplace model
- Equity grants (applicable to full-time employees)
Benefits eligibility may vary depending on your employment status. Lightmatter recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
Export Control
Candidates should have capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.
Top Skills
What We Do
Lightmatter is a startup photonics company that has pioneered a new paradigm in processor chip architecture that uses photons instead of electrons. Now the leader in the photonic AI compute “space race,” this new class of high performance semiconductors is the foundation of Lightmatter’s mission to enable the growth of computing, reduce harmful emissions associated with this growth, and democratize computing for all.
Lightmatter's technology accelerates critical operations in deep neural networks, using an array of programmable photonic elements fabricated alongside transistors in conventional computer chip fabrication processes. Our close-knit team of engineers has created an integrated photonics chip and ultra-high performance interconnect that is faster, more efficient, and cooler than anything else on earth (or anything ever experienced before) to power the next giant leaps in human progress.
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