Summary of Role:The inevitable transition from electrons to photons for high-speed communications and computing is transforming the semiconductor industry. Silicon Photonics is a dynamic and rapidly growing market that GlobalFoundries has committed to invest in.
The Silicon Photonics Product Line is seeking a leader for the Advanced Photonics team that is focused on driving the definition and realization of next-generation photonic devices and system architectures that are closely aligned with near-term customer and market needs. The leader will provide technical vision, architectural leadership, and people management for a small, highly technical senior team. This role requires deep technical expertise in photonics and systems, strong customer-facing capabilities, and proven leadership in building and guiding high-impact technical teams. The Advanced Photonics team will translate industry trends and customer requirements into executable architectures, device concepts, and development programs with clear paths to productization.
Essential Responsibilities:- Technical & Strategic Leadership
- Define and drive the next generation roadmap for advanced photonic devices, aligned to business and customer needs.
- Lead the architecture and design of advanced photonic building blocks and subsystems.
- Translate system-level requirements into device-level and platform-level innovation that can be industrialized rapidly.
- Serve as a senior technical authority on advanced photonics within the company, shaping internal strategy and external positioning
- Customer Engagement & Co-Development
- Collaborate closely with customer development teams on next-generation photonic systems and architectures.
- Act as a technical counterpart to senior customer architects and technologists, influencing early system definitions and design choices.
- Ensure customer learnings are rapidly incorporated into device concepts and platform enhancements.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with:
- gfLabs photonics team to transition longer-term innovations into near-term product opportunities.
- Silicon photonics development teams to ensure seamless integration into the product roadmap.
- Fab and foundry teams to align designs with manufacturing realities, yield, reliability, and scalability.
- Drive tight alignment across device design, process technology, packaging, and test.
- Industry Awareness & Technology Insertion
- Continuously track industry trends, standards, and competitive developments in photonics, AI interconnects, and advanced optical systems.
- Evaluate and selectively incorporate external innovations, ensuring differentiation and time-to-market advantage.
- People & Organizational Leadership
- Build, lead, and mentor a small, elite technical team, setting a high bar for technical rigor, execution, and collaboration.
- Provide clear technical direction, career development, and performance management for senior technical staff.
- Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and constructive technical debate.
Other Responsibilities:Perform all activities in a safe and responsible manner and support all Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs.
Required Qualifications:- Advanced degree (PhD strongly preferred) in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
- Deep expertise in photonic devices and integrated photonics, with a strong understanding of system-level implications.
- Demonstrated leadership of senior technical teams (Distinguished / Principal-level engineers or equivalent).
- Experience working across device, system, and manufacturing domains in a product-driven environment.
- Proven ability to engage credibly with customers, partners, and executive stakeholders.
- Strong track record of translating advanced technology concepts into product-relevant outcomes on aggressive timelines.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Ability to travel as needed.
Expected Salary Range$166,500.00 - $319,000.00
The exact Salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience and location.
