Optical Design Engineer

Department: Engineering

Location: San Jose

Employment Type: FullTime

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. Every line of code, every design decision, every breakthrough you help deliver will shape the infrastructure of tomorrow.

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.

About the Role
As an Optical Design Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing and verifying the coupling optics that are key to delivering optical signals of up to 1.6 Tb/s into our customers’ networks.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Utilize raytracing software tools (e.g., Zemax) to perform optical simulations and design lens and fiber based coupling solutions for Silicon Photonics based electro-optical components.

• Provide guidance and consult with suppliers on optics design concepts and solutions to optimize the performance of optical transceivers.

• Design and perform experiments to evaluate the performance of optical coupling solutions.

• Provide expert technical support to mechanical designers and process engineers to ensure optimum performance under realistic manufacturing conditions.

Minimum Qualification Required

• Master's degree in optical engineering or a related field, Ph.D. preferred.

• At least 2 years of direct experience in designing optical systems.

• Proven expertise in designing optics using raytracing software tools such as Zemax, or CodeV (sequential, non-sequential, tolerancing, Monte Carlo, ZOS-API, etc.)

• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python

• Familiarity with JMP is a plus.

• Proven hands-on lab experience with optical testing and setup design.

• Knowledge of process/quality control and optical communication standards (IEEE, MSA) is a plus.

• Creative problem-solving skills for challenging technical issues.

• Successful track record in working with dynamic international teams across time zones.

• Self-motivated with a successful history of working with cross-functional teams.

• Independently driven, capable of multitasking and delivering assigned tasks on time.

• Organized and analytical, capable of overcoming obstacles through creative and adaptive approaches.

• Strong communication skills.

• Willingness to travel (~20% of the time).

Education & Experience

• MS or Ph. D. in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related technical field

• Prior exposure to photonics, telecom, or high-speed networking systems is a plus

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance

• Professional development and certification opportunities

• Access to cutting-edge optical/photonics test environments and tools

• A collaborative, cross-functional team dedicated to solving some of the hardest challenges in photonics

• Equal opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, identity, orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status