Senior Laser Engineer
About OLIX
AI is growing faster than any technology in history and the explosion in demand has created a massive infrastructure gap; we can no longer build chips or power stations fast enough to keep up. The industry is still leaning on a ten-year-old hardware blueprint that has reached its limit. A new paradigm that is faster and more efficient will be the biggest economic opportunity of the next century and create the most important company of the next decade. The OLIX Decode Accelerator 1 (DX-1) is the first accelerator architected specifically for decode. Rack-scale co-design of logic, data movement, packaging, optics and interconnect enables a step change in system level performance.
The Role
We are seeking a Senior Laser Engineer with deep expertise in VCSEL technology to lead the development of production-grade laser devices for integration into our systems.
This is a device-level role focused on III-V semiconductor lasers, spanning epitaxial design, device architecture, fabrication transfer, characterisation, packaging interaction, and reliability. You will work from first-principles physics through to manufacturable arrays operating at high speed and high density.
You will collaborate closely with electronics, optics, packaging, and system architecture teams to ensure that VCSEL performance directly supports system-level bandwidth, power, and reliability targets.
Responsibilities
Own the design and development of VCSEL devices and arrays for high-density optical systems
Define and optimise epitaxial layer structures including quantum wells, DBRs, oxidation layers, and current confinement schemes
Work with external epitaxy suppliers and foundries to specify, review, and iterate wafer growth runs
Drive device simulation across optical, electrical, and thermal domains
Characterise fabricated devices including LIV, spectral behaviour, modulation bandwidth, efficiency, thermal rollover, and reliability
Develop strategies for current confinement, high-speed modulation, and array uniformity
Collaborate with electronics teams on driver integration and impedance considerations
Interface with packaging and optics teams to ensure coupling efficiency, mechanical tolerance robustness, and thermal performance
Establish reliability methodologies including accelerated life testing and failure analysis
Contribute to multi-generation device roadmaps aligned with system architecture requirements
Support transfer from R&D to pilot and volume manufacturing
Skills & Experience
7+ years of experience in semiconductor laser development, with strong emphasis on VCSELs
Degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline
Deep understanding of III-V materials systems such as GaAs/AlGaAs or InP-based structures
Understanding of epitaxial techniques such as MBE or MOCVD
Deep familiarity with high-speed modulation and bandwidth limitations
Understanding of thermal management in dense laser arrays
Experience working with external foundries or epitaxy houses
Ability to interpret SEM, AFM, and other device-level characterisation data
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
Nice to Have:
Experience with large VCSEL arrays
Knowledge of reliability standards for datacom applications
Experience integrating lasers with custom driver ASICs
Background in yield optimisation and statistical process control
Python skills
Compensation & Equity
Competitive Salary: £121,000+ annual salary commensurate with your experience, skills, and location.
Equity & Ownership: Meaningful stock options. You’re not just joining the mission; you’re owning a piece of it.
Proximity Bonus: We value your time. To minimise your commute and maximise your life, we offer a £24K annual Living-Local Bonus if your residence is within 20 minutes of the office.
Due to U.S. export control regulations, candidates’ eligibility to work at OLIX depends on their most recent citizenship or permanent residency status. We are generally unable to consider applicants whose most recent citizenship or permanent residence is in certain restricted countries (currently including Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Venezuela). Applicants who have subsequently obtained citizenship or permanent residency in another country not subject to these restrictions may still be eligible.
