Director Software Development Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA

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. 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.

Lumilens is seeking a Director of Software Manufacturing to lead the strategy, development, and execution of software systems that enable high‑volume manufacturing of next‑generation optical transceivers (800G, 1.6T and beyond). This role is responsible for building and scaling the software infrastructure that drives yield, test, calibration, and production efficiency across our photonics manufacturing ecosystem.

This is a critical leadership role at the intersection of software, manufacturing, and hardware systems. You will define and implement manufacturing software frameworks that support end‑to‑end production—from wafer‑level test and module assembly to final system validation—ensuring high yield, reliability, and throughput at scale.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in manufacturing software, test automation, and production systems within semiconductor, optical transceivers, or high‑performance hardware environments, along with a strong track record supporting hyperscale customer deployments.

• Define and lead the software roadmap for manufacturing systems supporting optical transceivers and photonic devices
• Architect scalable test, calibration, and data infrastructure for NPI and high‑volume manufacturing (HVM)
• Drive software solutions for wafer probe, module test, system‑level validation, and final test
• Ensure seamless integration between manufacturing software, MES systems, and factory automation platforms

• Develop software frameworks to improve yield, throughput, and cycle time across manufacturing lines
• Lead implementation of data‑driven yield analysis, failure detection, and root cause methodologies
• Build and deploy automated test and calibration systems for optical modules, including DSP tuning and optical alignment
• Partner with manufacturing and quality teams to reduce escapes, improve reliability, and optimize cost

• Ensure manufacturing software meets the scale, quality, and traceability requirements of hyperscale customers
• Support customer qualifications, audits, and production ramp readiness
• Implement robust telemetry, logging, and traceability systems across the manufacturing lifecycle
• Drive alignment between internal manufacturing systems and customer validation environments

• Partner closely with photonics, ASIC, hardware, systems, and operations teams to enable manufacturable product designs
• Support NPI → HVM transitions with robust, production‑ready software systems
• Interface with foundries, OSATs, and contract manufacturers to standardize test and software infrastructure
• Collaborate with supply chain and operations to ensure capacity and scalability

• Build, lead, and scale a high‑performing software manufacturing and test engineering team
• Establish best practices in software development, release management, and manufacturing deployment
• Drive a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Mentor engineers across software, test, and manufacturing domains

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 12+ years of experience in software engineering, with significant focus on manufacturing, test, or production systems
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams
• Strong background in manufacturing software, test automation, and production systems for semiconductor, photonics, or hardware products
• Proven experience supporting NPI to high‑volume manufacturing (HVM), including yield ramp and production scaling
• Experience working with contract manufacturers, OSATs, and/or global manufacturing partners
• Strong programming experience (Python, C/C++, or similar) for automation, test, and data systems
• Deep understanding of manufacturing KPIs: yield, throughput, cycle time, cost, and quality
• Experience with MES systems, data pipelines, and manufacturing analytics

• Experience with optical transceivers (QSFP, QSFP‑DD, OSFP) and high‑speed modules (400G, 800G, 1.6T)
• Background in silicon photonics, advanced packaging, or optical module manufacturing
• Experience building factory automation systems and test infrastructure at scale
• Familiarity with DSP‑based systems, calibration flows, and optical performance tuning
• Experience supporting hyperscalers or Tier 1 data center customers
• Experience in fast‑paced startup or high‑growth environments

• Competitive executive‑level compensation, including meaningful equity participation
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Opportunity to build and lead a critical engineering function at a rapidly scaling photonics company
• Direct impact on next‑generation AI and hyperscale infrastructure
• Collaborative environment with world‑class photonics and systems engineers