---
title: 'Lead Systems Application Engineer (software) at Lumilens'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-systems-application-engineer-software-lumilens-san-jose-e9t2jrvc35cs'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-19'
---

# Lead Systems Application Engineer (software) at Lumilens

- **Company:** Lumilens
- **Location:** San Jose, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-03-23
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/lumilens/2f4d24c3-219b-4ead-98e9-944377218be3

## Job description

## 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.

Position Overview We are seeking a highly skilled System Application Engineer (Software) to support next‑generation AI networking platforms and high‑speed optical interconnects. In this role, you will work closely with customers deploying 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers on 51.2T‑class and emerging switch architectures, with a strong emphasis on software integration, API‑level control, automation, and system‑level debugging. The ideal candidate brings deep experience with switch OS/SDKs, DSP and module configuration tools, embedded software workflows, and high‑speed link bring‑up—thriving at the intersection of software engineering, systems integration, and customer-facing applications.

## Key Responsibilities

- Lead software‑driven system integration for 51.2T and next‑gen switches, including API configuration, automation frameworks, and module management for 800G/1.6T optical transceivers.
- Serve as the primary technical interface for customers, interpreting system requirements and delivering software-supported, end‑to‑end solutions.
- Debug complex interoperability issues spanning switch OS/SDKs, DSP firmware, protocol stacks (L1/L2), and optical module control interfaces.
- Create and run customer demos, software workflows, and validation scripts, including switch bring‑up, link diagnostics, and performance verification.
- Collaborate across software, optical, hardware, thermal, and mechanical engineering teams to ensure clean, scalable integration of optical modules into AI networking environments.
- Develop scripts, tools, and automation (Python or similar) to accelerate triage, link tuning, and test execution.
- Stay current on industry standards and emerging technologies in AI networking, module management protocols, and switch software architectures.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
- Strong understanding of optical transceivers, including control interfaces, configuration protocols, and performance metrics.
- Extensive hands‑on experience with DSP configuration tools, module firmware interaction, and high-speed link debugging.
- Deep familiarity with AI networking switch software, including OS/SDK configuration, management protocols, and Layer 1/Layer 2 behavior.
- Experience working with 800G modules, 1.6T architectures, or 51.2T switches is highly desirable.
- Prior experience with leading optical-transceiver or networking-system companies is a strong plus.
- Strong proficiency with Python or similar scripting languages for automation, debug, and system-level validation.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and customer-facing skills, with the ability to translate complex software/system issues into actionable solutions.
- Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments and collaborate effectively across dispersed, cross-functional teams.

Benefits:

- Competitive salary and significant equity compensation in a rapidly growing, well-funded startup.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Flexible time off policy.
- Direct impact on groundbreaking technology shaping the future of AI and data centers.
- Opportunity to work with a highly experienced and collaborative team.
- Dynamic and innovative work environment
- Opportunity for rapid career growth
- All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

## About Lumilens

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Lumilens designs and manufactures next-generation photonic interconnects to massively scale AI compute infrastructure.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B – led by Accton Technology; prior Series A of $30M from Mayfield and Spark Capital)
- **Headquarters**: San Jose, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2024
- **Founders**: Ankur Singla (CEO), Samuel Liu (VP Products), Ritesh Kapahi (VP/GM India), Dave Friedman (VP Operations)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Photonics / optical interconnects for AI data centers
- **Target customers**: Large-scale AI providers and hyperscale data center operators (B2B, Enterprise)
- **Mission**: “To rapidly innovate in photonics and connectivity architectures to enable the massive scaling of compute infrastructure required to deliver the full potential of AI.”

## Products & Services
- **Photonic Interconnects (Scale-Out & Scale-Up)**: High-density, low-latency optical links that enable cluster-to-cluster and direct GPU-to-GPU connectivity. Supports 100x higher quantity of GPU direct connections than legacy approaches.
  - *Type*: Hardware (silicon photonics modules) + integrated manufacturing
- **Automated Manufacturing Platform**: End-to-end custom robotics and AI-optimized production processes to maximize yield, quality, and supply-chain flexibility.
  - *Type*: Service / Manufacturing capability (in-house)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – $30M Series A (June 2024); Series B led by Accton Technology (amount undisclosed)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Mayfield, Spark Capital, Accton Technology
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew 287% YoY (54 employees as of mid-2025) [linkedin.com]
  - Operations in 8 countries: USA, India, Thailand, Poland, Singapore, Czechia, South Korea, Malaysia
  - 48 active job postings (+23.1% monthly growth) [linkedin.com]
  - Leadership team with deep photonics/networking experience from Cisco, Juniper, Meta, Lumentum, Coherent

## Competitive Advantages
- **In-house silicon photonics development** – full control over design and supply chain
- **Systems-level expertise** – can partner on both scale-out and scale-up architectures
- **Manufacturing automation** – robotics + AI processes enable faster innovation, higher quality, and predictable deployment
- **Standards-based interconnects** – easy deployment into existing infrastructure
- **Manufacturing anywhere** – supply-chain continuity and scalable manufacturing

## Strategic Focus
- Enable massive scaling of AI infrastructure by overcoming electrical/copper limitations with advanced photonics
- Disaggregate GPUs to mitigate power and density challenges in data centers
- Expand manufacturing capacity globally and continue to automate production
- Align product roadmap with industry standards to accelerate adoption

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Fast-paced startup environment with deep technical expertise; mission-driven focus on enabling the future of AI
- **Work policy**: In-office (HQ San Jose, CA with Bengaluru, India as major hub) [builtin.com]
- **Perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge photonics, robotics, and AI manufacturing; direct impact on world’s largest AI infrastructure
- **Engineering culture**: Heavy emphasis on silicon photonics, hardware design, robotics automation, and system-level architecture. Teams are led by veterans from Cisco, Juniper, Meta, Lumentum, Coherent.

## Sources
1. [lumilens.com](https://lumilens.com/) – Company overview, mission, leadership, products
2. [lumilens.com/company](https://lumilens.com/company) – Vision, investors, leadership team
3. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/lumilens) – Career page, employee count, year founded, office policy
4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumilens) – Headcount, funding details, geographic/department breakdown, job trends, talent sources
5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/lumilens) – Current job openings (48 listings)

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