Senior Laser Engineer

Senior Laser Engineer LocationLondon, UKEmployment TypeFull timeLocation TypeOn-siteDepartmentEngineeringCore TechCompensationLondonStarting from £121KAbout OLIXAI 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 RoleWe 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.ResponsibilitiesOwn the design and development of VCSEL devices and arrays for high-density optical systemsDefine and optimise epitaxial layer structures including quantum wells, DBRs, oxidation layers, and current confinement schemesWork with external epitaxy suppliers and foundries to specify, review, and iterate wafer growth runsDrive device simulation across optical, electrical, and thermal domainsCharacterise fabricated devices including LIV, spectral behaviour, modulation bandwidth, efficiency, thermal rollover, and reliabilityDevelop strategies for current confinement, high-speed modulation, and array uniformityCollaborate with electronics teams on driver integration and impedance considerationsInterface with packaging and optics teams to ensure coupling efficiency, mechanical tolerance robustness, and thermal performanceEstablish reliability methodologies including accelerated life testing and failure analysisContribute to multi-generation device roadmaps aligned with system architecture requirementsSupport transfer from R&D to pilot and volume manufacturingSkills & Experience7+ years of experience in semiconductor laser development, with strong emphasis on VCSELsDegree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related disciplineDeep understanding of III-V materials systems such as GaAs/AlGaAs or InP-based structuresUnderstanding of epitaxial techniques such as MBE or MOCVDDeep familiarity with high-speed modulation and bandwidth limitationsUnderstanding of thermal management in dense laser arraysExperience working with external foundries or epitaxy housesAbility to interpret SEM, AFM, and other device-level characterisation dataStrong cross-functional collaboration skillsNice to Have:Experience with large VCSEL arraysKnowledge of reliability standards for datacom applicationsExperience integrating lasers with custom driver ASICsBackground in yield optimisation and statistical process controlPython skillsCompensation & EquityCompetitive Salary: Commensurate with your experience, skills, and locationEquity & Ownership: Meaningful stock options. You’re not just joining the mission; you’re owning a piece of itProximity Bonus: We value your time. To minimise your commute and maximise your life, we offer an annual Living-Local Bonus if your residence is within 20 minutes of the officeRetirement Benefits: Employer-contributed retirement plans to help you build long-term financial security.Due to...