Sr. Manager, Optical Software Engineering

About Lumilens

At Lumilens we are building the critical photonics infrastructure that powers tomorrow’s AI supercomputing. From chip-to-chip optical interconnects to scalable photonic engines, Lumilens is unlocking a new era of computing, faster, cooler, and massively more efficient.

We’re a well-funded startup backed by Mayfield and led by veterans who’ve built and scaled some of the most transformative technologies in the industry. This isn’t incremental innovation, it’s a ground-floor opportunity to rethink the optical layer from the silicon up. You’ll work alongside a team of world-class engineers solving some of the hardest challenges in optics, systems, and scale. If you’re looking for mission, momentum, and the chance to make an outsized impact, jump on the rocket ship. We’re just getting started.

Position Overview

Lumilens is seeking a Sr. Manager, Optical Software Engineering to lead the architecture, development, and execution of embedded software for our high-speed optical transceiver platforms (800G, 1.6T and beyond). This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for defining software strategy, building and scaling a world-class team, and ensuring robust, production-ready embedded solutions that enable reliable operation of advanced photonic systems.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience developing embedded software for optical transceivers, photonics devices, or optical communication systems, along with proven success leading engineering teams and delivering complex hardware-integrated software from concept through volume production.

You will work cross-functionally with photonics, electrical, systems, manufacturing, and quality teams to deliver high-performance optical transceiver solutions to leading hyperscale and AI infrastructure customers.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Strategy & Architecture Leadership

• Define and drive the embedded software architecture and roadmap for Lumilens’ optical transceiver platforms
• Lead development of embedded control software for optical transceivers, including laser control, optical calibration, diagnostics, monitoring, and system management
• Architect scalable embedded platforms supporting current and future optical module generations
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, including CMIS (Common Management Interface Specification) and optical module management interfaces
• Define system-level control architecture for photonics components, DSPs, microcontrollers, and supporting subsystems
• Establish best practices for embedded software design, modularity, maintainability, and long-term scalability

Optical Systems Software Leadership

• Oversee development of embedded software controlling critical optical subsystems, including:
• Laser drivers, modulators, and photodetectors
• Optical calibration, tuning, and performance optimization
• Digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) and telemetry
• Thermal management and control loops
• Fault detection, recovery, and reliability monitoring
• Drive software integration with photonics hardware, DSPs, and analog front-end components
• Ensure robust implementation of I2C / I3C communication interfaces and optical module host interfaces
• Support optical system bring-up, validation, and performance optimization

Organizational Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and scale a high-performing embedded software engineering team
• Provide technical mentorship and leadership to engineers across experience levels
• Establish strong engineering processes including design reviews, code reviews, and release management
• Foster a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Partner with executive leadership on engineering roadmap, hiring strategy, and organizational scaling

Cross-Functional Product Execution

• Partner closely with photonics, electrical, hardware, systems, and manufacturing teams to deliver complete optical transceiver products
• Drive execution across the full product lifecycle—from architecture and bring-up through validation and high-volume production
• Collaborate with validation and test teams to define comprehensive software and system-level test strategies
• Support hardware bring-up, root cause analysis, and failure investigation
• Ensure software readiness and robustness for manufacturing ramp and production deployment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 10 years of embedded software development experience
• 5 years of technical leadership or engineering management experience
• Direct experience developing embedded software for optical transceivers, optical modules, photonics devices, or optical communication systems
• Strong proficiency in C and C for real-time embedded systems
• Deep experience with real-time operating systems (e.g., FreeRTOS or similar)
• Strong understanding of optical transceiver architecture, including control, diagnostics, and host interfaces
• Experience implementing or supporting CMIS or similar optical module management interfaces
• Experience integrating embedded software with hardware systems including microcontrollers, DSPs, and mixed-signal components
• Strong debugging skills using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and signal analyzers
• Ability to read and interpret hardware schematics

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software for high-speed optical transceivers (QSFP, QSFP-DD, OSFP, or similar form factors)
• Experience with 400G, 800G, or 1.6T optical modules
• Familiarity with photonics control systems, optical calibration, and tuning algorithms
• Experience supporting manufacturing ramp and high-volume production
• Experience in startup or fast-paced product environments
• Python or scripting experience for automation and validation

What We Offer

• Competitive executive-level compensation, including meaningful equity participation
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Opportunity to build and lead a critical engineering function at a rapidly scaling photonics company
• Direct impact on next-generation AI and hyperscale infrastructure
• Collaborative environment with world-class photonics and systems engineers

*Lumilens is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, identity, orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other legal