Photonics System Architect

Lightium AG, a Swiss photonics startup focused on thin-film lithium niobate technology, is seeking a Photonics System Architect to lead system-level design and requirements management for internal and external customers on Lightium’s TFLN platform. The role is full-time and onsite in Schlieren, ZH, with occasional travel to customers and prospects. The company collaborates with leading transceiver manufacturers and optical interconnect hardware players, and this position will suit someone who thrives at the intersection of systems engineering and photonics.

If you enjoy shaping complex, high-speed photonic systems and mentoring colleagues in a fast-moving environment, this role could be a good fit.

The position offers a rare opportunity to contribute to the next generation of photonics technology while working with a close-knit team.

Architecting light paths in a TFLN world

You’ll translate customer requirements into system concepts for on-chip optical communication across a range of modalities, including coherent links in C-band and O-band (coherent lite), IMDD, quantum, radio over fiber, and PON. You will set system-level specifications and derive block-level requirements, shape the architectures, and drive schematic design and layout in Lightium’s advanced platform. System- and circuit-level simulations will be used to optimise performance while keeping manufacturability and testability in mind.

As the primary interface to external parties, you will manage relationships with drivers and TIA suppliers, packaging and integration houses (OSATs), strategic DSP partners, and customers to align on needs and deliverables.

You’ll benchmark and implement requirements-management tools, apply defined procedures, and help train your colleagues in system engineering. You’ll collaborate closely with R&D from design through optical testing and characterization, contributing to cross-functional projects that advance Lightium’s TFLN technologies, with occasional travel to existing customers and prospects.

Documentation and reporting will be thorough, and you’ll help establish standard operating procedures while training new colleagues. You’ll also stay up-to-date on photonics advancements and contribute to Lightium’s IP portfolio.

What it takes to join the team

The basics Lightium is seeking include advanced education and hands-on expertise in RF and optical system design for integrated photonics, with a focus on requirements management.

• An advanced degree in communications, integrated photonics, electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, with a PhD preferred
• At least five years of work experience designing RF and optical systems in integrated photonics (PICs), including ISO-compliant requirements management
• Hands-on experience with PIC platforms such as TFLN, silicon photonics, SiN, or InP, including microwave photonics
• Familiarity with IEEE standards such as IEEE 803.2ba, including 100 GbE LR4, 400 GbE DR4, 1.6T DR4, 1.6T ZR, and 1.6T ZR+ would be a plus
• Proficiency in system-level design and simulation using tools like Ansys Lumerical, GDSFactory, Luceda, PhotonDesign, Synopsis, Cadence or VPI Photonics; a strong grasp of coherent transmitter and receiver architectures; experience with the V development model for requirements tracking; plus if there is experience with quantum computing systems or optical links to satellites
• Strong organizational skills to plan work across multiple facilities, document results and procedures, follow guidelines and maintain confidentiality
• Excellent collaboration and communication abilities to work with multidisciplinary teams and international customers, with sensitivity to US, European, and Asian contexts
• Adaptability to thrive in a startup environment and respond well to change
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of German, French, or an Asian language is an advantage

Nice-to-haves include experience with PLM systems at an industrial level.

Compensation, benefits and practical details

Lightium offers a competitive compensation package with a comprehensive benefits plan, including participation in an employee stock option plan (ESOP).

The role is full-time and onsite in Schlieren, ZH, with occasional travel to existing customers and prospects.

Lightium is an equal opportunity employer.

Advice for applicants

Tip 1: Start your resume with a short spotlight on your five-plus years of RF and optical system design in integrated photonics, and call out ISO-compliant requirements management and any hands-on work with platforms like TFLN or other PICs.

Tip 2: Prove you have the must-haves by naming specific projects where you used the listed tools (Ansys Lumerical, GDSFactory, Luceda, PhotonDesign, Synopsis, Cadence or VPI Photonics) to drive system-level design, simulation, and verification, and by showing concrete examples of requirements tracked under a V-model approach.

Tip 3: Prepare for interviews by walking through a real system you designed from concept to schematic and layout, detailing how you derived system- and block-level specs, and how you ensured manufacturability and testability in practice. Have examples ready of collaborating with external drivers, packaging houses, or OSATs and customers.

Tip 4: Plan a smart question to ask about Lightium’s IP strategy and how the Photonics System Architect contributes to building and protecting the portfolio around the TFLN platform, as well as how success is measured for first-time-right designs.