The Role
Evaluate, characterize, and optimize the performance of lidar sensors, supporting product development and system integration efforts, while collaborating with internal teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
Lumotive is pioneering the era of programmable optics—where light is controlled as intelligently and flexibly as software.
At the heart of this transformation is a once-in-a-generation innovation: a flat CMOS-based “general purpose optic.” Lumotive’s Light Control Metasurface (LCM™) beam forming chips can be programmed to function as a beam steering mirror, a lens, mirror, a beam splitter—or any optical function—replacing bulky and mechanical optical components with a fully digital, reconfigurable semiconductor . This breakthrough lays the foundation for a massive shift in multiple technologies—from 3D sensing and imaging to optical networking, free space optical communication, and beyond. Like the shift from analog to digital in electronics, programmable optics will reshape industries from robotics, self-driving cars, AI, defense, and healthcare.
Lumotive’s first commercial application is in LiDAR, where its software-defined beam steering chips are already enabling compact, high-performance, solid-state sensors. These sensors are being deployed today in smart infrastructure, robotics, and mobility systems through leading module makers and solution integrators.
With more than 200 patents and growing commercial traction, Lumotive is delivering the world’s first digital platform for light—and redefining what’s possible in the optical age.
Job Description:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and innovative Lidar Characterization Engineer to join our team. You will be responsible for evaluating, characterizing, and optimizing the performance of lidar sensors and sub-assemblies, supporting both product development and system integration efforts. Your work will directly impact the quality and reliability of our 3D sensing systems. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively across internal functional units as well as with partners and customers. The ideal candidate has prior experience in lidar, time of flight (ToF), and/or other 2D and 3D imaging systems. This position reports to a Principal Optoelectronic Systems Engineer.
Responsibilities:
- Design and execute experiments to characterize key lidar performance metrics (e.g., range accuracy, precision, reflectivity response, resolution, noise characteristics, calibration stability).
- Develop automated test systems and analysis pipelines for efficient system and component evaluation and calibration.
- Conduct laboratory and field tests to simulate real-world operating conditions.
- Analyze large datasets and extract insights to drive sensor improvements.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware, firmware, perception, and manufacturing teams.
- Define test plans and acceptance criteria for new sensor designs and production units.
- Support root cause analysis for sensor anomalies or performance degradation.
- Document methods, results, and best practices for internal and external use.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Experience with lidar, optical sensors, or similar hardware characterization.
- Strong understanding of 3D sensing principles.
- Proficiency with data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar).
- Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrometers, laser systems).
- Familiarity with signal processing, calibration techniques, and sensor modeling.
- Experience interacting with databases (SQL, Postgres) for managing and analyzing large datasets.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team setting.
- Ability to prepare and deliver reports and presentations.
Base pay is scaled depending on experience + Performance based Quarterly Bonus + Equity.
Benefits include but not limited to:
Health, dental and vision
FSA, HSA
PTO plus 14 paid company holidays
401K with 3% contribution
Stock Options
Life insurance and disability
Top Skills
Laboratory Instrumentation
Lidar
Matlab
Optical Sensors
Postgres
Python
SQL
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The Company
What We Do
Lumotive’s transformative optical semiconductors are enabling “Lidar 2.0” for consumer electronics, industrial automation, robotics, and automotive applications. The company’s Meta-Lidar™ Reference Platform utilizes revolutionary beam-steering technology based on patented Light Control Metasurfaces™ and implemented in standard semiconductor manufacturing processes to deliver an unprecedented combination of best-in-class performance, cost, reliability and size. Lumotive’s LCMs enable the industry’s first software-defined lidar with advanced perception capabilities. Lumotive’s Meta-Lidar™ Platform was recently recognized with two CES 2022 Innovation awards, a 2022 SPIE Prism Award, a Business Intelligence Group Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Award, and a prestigious Edison Award. Investors include Bill Gates, Samsung Ventures, Quan Funds and MetaVC Partners.
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