About GlobalFoundries:
GlobalFoundries is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world’s most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GlobalFoundries makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.
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.
- Partner closely with:
- 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 - $319,000.00The exact Salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience and location.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
An offer with GlobalFoundries is conditioned upon the successful completion of pre-employment conditions, as applicable, and subject to applicable laws and regulations.
GlobalFoundries is fully committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and believes that cultural diversity within the company enhances its business potential. GlobalFoundries goal of excellence in business necessitates the attraction and retention of highly qualified people. Artificial barriers and stereotypic biases detract from this objective and may be illegally discriminatory.
All policies and processes which pertain to employees including recruitment, selection, training, utilization, promotion, compensation, benefits, extracurricular programs, and termination are created and implemented without regard to age, ethnicity, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic or category specified by local, state or federal law
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
