Title: Senior Module Engineer

Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Education: BS required, PHD/MS preferred

Experience: 5 or more years

Starting Date: Upon availability

Company Overview:

Lucidean is pioneering the next generation of optical communications to unlock faster, more efficient AI data centers. Founded by leading photonics pioneers out of UC Santa Barbara, Lucidean’s game-changing link architecture and photonic integrated circuit designs are ideally suited to deliver coherent links in data center environments where incumbent technologies face fundamental barriers.

Role Overview: Senior Module Engineer at Lucidean

As a Senior Module Engineer you will play a lead role in the development of Lucidean’s integrated hardware platform by spearheading our CohZero^TM transceiver module development and commercialization activities. In this role, you will work closely with the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development team, the systems team, and the test and characterization team to drive Lucidean’s core technology into final module products.

Key Responsibilities:

· Define hardware architectures for Lucidean’s next-generation optical transceiver modules

· Translate system requirements into optical/electrical/mechanical design specifications.

· Ensure integrated module is designed for reliability, manufacturing, and cost

· Work closely with PIC team to ensure optical engine compatibility with modules

· Optimize optical coupling (attach, lensing, tolerances) for performance and manufacturability.

· Oversee high-speed PCB design, signal integrity, and power integrity for PAM4/coherent lanes

· Guide DSP/driver/AFE integration and testing.

· Thermal modeling, heatsink design, and module reliability strategies for high-power pluggables.

· Work with test team to establish test plans for module characterization (optical eye, TDECQ, jitter, sensitivity, power consumption).

· Lead system-level validation in customer-like environments (switch/router/AI cluster testbeds)

· Own early prototypes: hands-on assembly, debugging, and troubleshooting at the bench.

· Engage with optics, IC, and packaging vendors to qualify components and negotiate specs.

· Define DFM/DFT strategies, including optical/electrical test, assembly tolerances, and burn-in.

· Ensure modules comply with MSAs, IEEE/ITU standards, and Telcordia reliability requirements.

· Support technical discussions with early customers and partners, providing module performance data and roadmap alignment.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

· M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or related field.

· 5 years of experience in optical module/hardware development

· High-Speed Electronics: Experience with PAM4 and/or coherent links, SerDes, TIAs, drivers, DSPs.

· Signal Integrity & RF: Eye diagrams, jitter analysis, TDECQ, crosstalk, channel modeling.

· Packaging & Assembly: Fiber attach, lens alignment, hermetic/non-hermetic packaging, PCB layout, co-packaged optics.

· Thermal modeling, heatsink design, reliability testing under high power density.

· Standards Knowledge: IEEE 802.3, OIF, MSAs (QSFP, OSFP, COBO, LPO/CPO).

· Test & Characterization: Familiar with BERTs, high-speed oscilloscopes, optical spectrum analyzers, automated test platforms.

· Simulation/Modeling Tools: Lumerical, Zemax, HFSS, ADS, COMSOL, or equivalent.

· DFM/DFT, Telcordia GR-468, accelerated lifetime testing, yield optimization.

· Strong teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.

Why Join Lucidean?

· Push the frontier of optical interconnect technologies for AI computing in exciting start-up.

· Work alongside a dedicated, diverse team focused on making a tangible impact.

· Contribute to and help shape a flexible and dynamic startup environment with a culture of continuous learning and development.

· Competitive salary, equity options, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Lucidean provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Lucidean does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.