Electro-Optic Systems Architect (Boston and Mountain View)

As an Electro-Optic Systems Architect at Lightmatter, you will be responsible for creative problem-solving and delivering high-performance electro-optic architecture solutions. This includes systems modeling using advanced simulation tools, designing end-to-end electrical-optical-electrical systems that meet customer specifications, and validating your models through high-speed RF experiments. You will also collaborate closely with other engineers to ensure that the software and hardware components work seamlessly together, ultimately contributing to the success of Lightmatter’s innovative photonic products.

Lightmatter requires candidates for the Electro-Optic Systems Architect position to hold a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience. You should have extensive knowledge in electronic-photonic systems simulation, as well as experience with hardware testing and measurements for high-speed optical modulators. Proficiency in tools like Cadence, Ansys HFSS, and programming in Python or MATLAB is required.

In the Electro-Optic Systems Architect role at Lightmatter, you will utilize cutting-edge tools such as Cadence photonics-analog simulators including Virtuoso and Spectre, VPI Photonics, and Keysight ADS. You’ll also engage in modeling optical communication links and may be involved with advanced simulation techniques like corner analysis and Monte Carlo analysis. Proficiency in coding simulations using Python or MATLAB is essential, as is knowledge of RF/mm-wave analog circuit design.

At Lightmatter, the Electro-Optic Systems Architect plays a crucial role in a collaborative and creative team environment. You'll work alongside brilliant scientists and engineers, sharing ideas freely like a true innovation hub. Each individual's work is valued and contributes significantly to the company's overall success. The culture encourages sharing of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that innovative solutions are prioritized and developed to the fullest, fostering a sense of collective accomplishment.

Lightmatter offers significant career growth opportunities for Electro-Optic Systems Architects, particularly given the rapid pace of innovation in photonics and AI technologies. You will be encouraged to develop new skills through training and development programs. Additionally, as you contribute to groundbreaking projects, you may have opportunities to represent Lightmatter at technical conferences, further establishing your expertise in the photonics field. There's also the potential for advancement into leadership roles as you become more integral to the company's strategic direction.

When addressing your experience, focus on specific projects where you've utilized Cadence photonics-analog simulators and any significant outcomes. Highlight your understanding of electronic-photonic systems and how you approached challenges and solutions, emphasizing your analytical skills.

Discuss particular testing scenarios you encountered with photonic high-speed optical modulators, detailing how you diagnosed issues and formulated solutions. Emphasize how you validated your results and the impact of your findings on the projects you worked on.

Emphasize the importance of clear communication and teamwork. You might describe a situation where you collaborated on complex projects, detailing how your role helped facilitate the integration of different engineering perspectives to achieve common goals.

Share an example that illustrates your problem-solving skills and creativity. Highlight the goals of the project, your role in the design process, the tools you used, and the success metrics you met or exceeded. This shows your hands-on experience and success in delivering results.

Discuss your familiarity with modeling techniques and tools that you have previously used, such as Cadence or Keysight. Provide examples of projects where you modeled communication links, the challenges you faced, and how the models helped influence design decisions.

Share your insights into recent advancements in photonics and how they may impact AI or high-performance computing. This will demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and align your enthusiasm with Lightmatter's innovative vision.

Discuss your strategies for continuous learning, whether through academic journals, conferences, or online courses. This reflects your commitment to professional development and your proactive approach to staying informed.

Focus on aspects such as user needs, market research, teamwork, and iterative design. Description of practical experiences illustrating how you have applied these elements could strengthen your answer.

Detail the specific problems encountered, the analytical process you applied, and the solutions you implemented. Insights into your troubleshooting processes will showcase your technical skill set and resilience.

Reflect on your passion for technology and innovation. Discuss policies or projects that excite you and how they align with the mission of Lightmatter to advance computing through photonics.