---
title: 'Senior Engineer, Optical Systems Engineer at Lumotive'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-optical-systems-engineer-lumotive-redmond-ryjh5ns3w1qz'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Senior Engineer, Optical Systems Engineer at Lumotive

- **Company:** Lumotive
- **Location:** Redmond, WA
- **Compensation:** $80k–$100k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/lumotive/1c4f01b1-f3b7-48da-a921-d0fee85b5edd

## Job description

Lumotive is pioneering the era of programmable optics—where light is controlled as intelligently and flexibly as software.

At the heart of this transformation is a once-in-a-generation innovation: a flat CMOS-based “general purpose optic.” Lumotive’s Light Control Metasurface (LCM™) beam forming chips can be programmed to function as a beam steering mirror, a lens, mirror, a beam splitter—or any optical function—replacing bulky and mechanical optical components with a fully digital, reconfigurable semiconductor . This breakthrough lays the foundation for a massive shift in multiple technologies—from 3D sensing and imaging to optical networking, free space optical communication, and beyond. Like the shift from analog to digital in electronics, programmable optics will reshape industries from robotics, self-driving cars, AI, defense, and healthcare.

Lumotive’s first commercial application is in LiDAR, where its software-defined beam steering chips are already enabling compact, high-performance, solid-state sensors. These sensors are being deployed today in smart infrastructure, robotics, and mobility systems through leading module makers and solution integrators.

With more than 200 patents and growing commercial traction, Lumotive is delivering the world’s first digital platform for light—and redefining what’s possible in the optical age.

Job Description: The Optical Systems Engineer plays a key role in a start-up environment developing the next generation of LiDAR. This hands-on role blends developing knowledge of optics, electronics, and software – expect to build, test, debug, and refine real hardware in the lab. You'll work within established architecture, technical direction, and defined procedures, exercising good judgment to determine appropriate action on problems of moderate scope, and building productive working relationships across internal teams. You'll receive general instructions on routine work and detailed instructions on new projects or assignments. This position reports to the Senior Manager of Optical Systems Engineering.

Responsibilities:

- Support the implementation of LCM-based lidar system and transmitter designs within established architecture and technical direction, contributing to the build and test of our reference designs, including debug, customization, and system-level optimization, in collaboration with hardware, optics, firmware, and software teams.
- Build test stations and fixtures for system-level test, assembly, and calibration, supporting bring-up through production, following established designs and procedures.
- Execute system-level test campaigns to characterize and validate lidar performance across development and production builds.
- Build and maintain Python-based automation and measurement tools for characterization and calibration of system and optoelectronic components (lasers, detectors).
- Debug systems and transmitters — including electronics, optics, and embedded processing and control algorithms — to isolate and resolve performance and integration issues.
- Participate in hardware and system design reviews, providing input on system integration, testability, and robustness for LCM-based lidar systems.
- Report on system performance and test results, presenting data, methods, and conclusions clearly to the internal technical team.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field plus a minimum of 2+ years of relevant work experience required.
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Working experience in optoelectronic or photonic systems integration and debug required.
- Python skills for automation, control, and data analysis.
- Familiarity with Git, Unix environments, and embedded systems.
- Exposure to system integration, optoelectronics, and cross-domain debugging.
- Exposure to designing or building test, assembly, or calibration stations, including fixture design and test automation.
- Working familiarity with lasers, photodetectors, and optoelectronic component characterization.
- Experience with lidar systems preferred; radar or ultrasound experience is also acceptable.
- Ability to apply established calibration, optimization, and signal-processing approaches following defined procedures.
- Good communication skills; comfortable building working relationships across teams.

Benefits include but not limited to:

Health, dental and vision

## FSA, HSA

PTO plus 14 paid company holidays 401K with 3% contribution Stock Options Life insurance and disability

## About Lumotive

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Lumotive develops programmable optical semiconductors using its patented Light Control Metasurface (LCM) technology to enable solid-state beam steering for lidar, optical switching, and communications.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held; $131M total funding, most recent Series B in 2025)
- **Headquarters**: Redmond, Washington, United States
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Gleb Akselrod (CTO and Founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Semiconductor Manufacturing / Programmable Optics
- **Target customers**: B2B – lidar module makers, robotics integrators, automotive ADAS suppliers, defense contractors, AI hyperscaler data centers, and optical network operators.
- **Mission or purpose**: “Delivering the world’s first digital platform for light — and redefining what’s possible in the optical age.”

## Products & Services
- **Light Control Metasurface (LCM) Beamforming Chip**: A software‑defined, flat CMOS‑based “general purpose optic” that can be programmed to steer, split, or focus light without moving parts. Used in solid‑state lidar for 3D sensing, optical circuit switching for AI data centers, and free‑space optical communications.
- **LCM‑Enabled 3D Sensing Solutions**: High‑performance, compact solid‑state lidar sensors deployed in smart infrastructure, robotics, and mobility systems through module makers and integrators.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of $131M; annual revenue estimated at $2.5M (based on headcount‑to‑revenue proxy)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Series B (Feb 2025) included 11 investors; earlier rounds involved corporate and venture investors (names not publicly listed). Partners include leading module makers and solution integrators in lidar and optical networking.
- **Growth Signals**: 66 employees (+28.6% YoY); 12 active job postings (+20% monthly, +300% quarterly); recent $45M Series B (Feb 2025) and $14M follow‑on (July 2025); expanding into AI data center optical switching; offices in Redmond (HQ), Vancouver, Palo Alto, Bellevue, and employees across 5 countries.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary LCM technology** with 160+ patents, enabling digital, reconfigurable optics without mechanical parts.
- **Once‑in‑a‑generation innovation**: a flat CMOS‑based “general purpose optic” that replaces bulky mechanical optical components, analogous to the shift from analog to digital in electronics.
- **Broad application range** (lidar, optical switching, communications) reduces single‑market risk and opens multiple high‑growth verticals.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling production and operations to meet demand from AI data centers (optical circuit switching), autonomous robotics, and automotive ADAS.
- Hiring a Vice President of Operations to drive excellence across fabrication, assembly, test, quality, supply chain, and logistics.
- Continuing to advance LCM chip performance and integration for next‑gen 3D sensing and high‑speed communications.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Intense intellectual environment” with high ownership, visibility, and responsibility; described as “no place to hide” but rewarding for top performers. Values: Always Innovate, Seek Excellence, Focus on Customers.
- **Work model**: Hybrid/office presence expected (offices in Redmond, Vancouver, Palo Alto, Bellevue); remote flexibility not explicitly stated.
- **Team**: 57% technical staff; collaboration with “ridiculously smart people” from Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and other top tech firms.
- **Growth**: Rapidly scaling company with recent funding and expanding headcount; opportunity to shape a breakthrough technology category.

## Sources
1. [lumotive.com](https://lumotive.com/)
2. [lumotive.com/about](https://lumotive.com/about/)
3. [lumotive.com/culture](https://lumotive.com/culture/)
4. [linkedin.com/company/lumotive](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumotive)
5. [jobs.lever.co/lumotive](https://jobs.lever.co/lumotive)

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