Senior Photonics Design Engineer

HyperLight is at forefront in commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics - a material and process technology that is enabling high-performance, scalable optical components across AI/datacom infrastructure, hyperscale computing, quantum computing, sensing, and beyond. Founded in 2018 and backed by leading venture capital, we’ve built a team and a platform focused on real-world mass deployment of TFLN photonics technology.

At the core of our work is the TFLN Chiplet™ platform — a modular, integrated architecture designed for scalability, manufacturability, and seamless integration into complex systems. It offers a rare combination of extraordinary performance and industrial readiness, enabling system developers across applications to deploy the technology fast and ready. We partner with our customers and suppliers from conceptualization, design, and prototyping phases, all the way through mass production to ensure smooth and rapid deployment of TFLN photonic technology.

We believe our platform is the key, in the golden age of the integrated photonics industry, to empower humanity to the next level. We assembled a world class team covering engineering, business and operations. We believe in the power of integrity, innovation, collaboration and pragmatic solutions. Our diverse team thrives on challenges and is united by a shared commitment to excellence. We take pride in tackling complex challenges with curiosity, humility, and a deep sense of care for one another.

We are seeking a hands-on, strategic IT Manager to lead and evolve HyperLight’s information-technology infrastructure and systems from our Cambridge, MA headquarters. This hybrid technical + operational role spans lab, production, and business environments, and requires a candidate who is comfortable with both core infrastructure engineering and pragmatic IT operations support in a fast-moving hardware startup.

Why Join HyperLight? At HyperLight, you’ll join a world-class team working at the frontier of integrated photonics — combining materials science, system design, and scalable manufacturing. The IT infrastructure you build and maintain will be foundational to enabling rapid product development, manufacturing execution, and business growth. You’ll thrive if you enjoy both designing robust systems and rolling up your sleeves to solve real-world IT challenges in a dynamic environment.

Apply Today! If you are ready to lead IT at an innovative photonics company and make an outsized impact, please submit your resume and a brief summary about how you’ve led IT infrastructure or operations in a high-growth environment. We look forward to hearing from you!

Responsibilities:

• Define, own and execute the IT roadmap: network architecture, servers/storage, endpoint devices, collaboration tools, cloud services.
• Manage day-to-day IT operations across office, lab and production spaces: user support, device lifecycle (procure/onboard/offboard), system uptime, SLA tracking.
• Architect, deploy and maintain enterprise networking: LAN/WAN, VPNs, wireless, firewalls, switches, segmentation for lab/production vs office environments.
• Lead systems administration including Windows, macOS, Linux, virtual environments, and related tooling (e.g., Active Directory / Azure AD, MDM).
• Oversee cloud platform integration (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid on-prem/cloud models to support R&D, manufacturing, business IT.
• Develop and enforce cybersecurity, data protection and access-control frameworks: including identity management, endpoint security, backup/disaster recovery, incident response.
• Partner cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing/ops, product, and business functions to understand their IT needs and deliver tailored solutions.
• Manage vendor and service-provider relationships, negotiate contracts, manage budget for hardware/software/IT services.
• Create and maintain documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), asset inventory, and reporting to leadership on IT health, risk, and opportunities for improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement: evaluate emerging technologies, optimize cost/efficiency, support scaling of infrastructure as HyperLight grows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline — or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in IT infrastructure management, systems administration, or network engineering, preferably in high-growth or hardware/manufacturing environments.
• Deep hands-on experience with enterprise networking (LAN/WAN, firewalls/VPNs, switches/WiFi), endpoint management (Windows/macOS/Linux), and hybrid cloud architectures.
• Proven experience deploying and managing cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP) and integrating on-premises with cloud environments.
• Strong cybersecurity awareness and experience implementing identity management, endpoint security, data protection/shadow-IT prevention.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, ability to adapt in a fast-paced startup environment, and capability to balance strategic roadmaps with tactical execution.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills: able to work with engineering, manufacturing, business teams, and executive leadership.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, budgeting, and procurement of IT hardware/software assets.
• Bonus: Experience with DevOps practices, proficiency in Python or other programming languages, and a background in Physics or Electrical Engineering.

Benefits

• Competitive market-based compensation
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, vision, and dental plans for individuals and families
• 401(k) retirement plans with employee matching
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life and disability insurance
• Commuter benefits and subsidies
• Professional growth and mentorship opportunities

Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the expected annual salary, but final compensation will be determined by skills, qualifications, and experience. Total compensation = base pay + equity compensation + benefits.

HyperLight is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.