Senior Technologist — Photonics Device and Systems R&D

Location: San Jose, California, United States; onsite at the San Jose Great Oaks Headquarters.

Salary: $215,900–$287,800 per year.

Company

hirify.global develops data storage systems and infrastructure for hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise environments supporting the AI-driven data economy.

What you will do

• Provide technical leadership for the research and development of photonic devices and systems for data storage and communications.
• Define technology roadmaps, device architectures, performance targets, and development plans.
• Lead concept generation, feasibility assessment, modeling, design, fabrication, characterization, and prototype demonstration.
• Guide tradeoff studies involving optical performance, electrical drive, thermal behavior, reliability, manufacturability, packaging, and system integration.
• Collaborate with device, process, test, packaging, electronics, firmware, and system teams to resolve cross-disciplinary challenges.
• Establish experimental strategies, interpret device- and system-level data, mentor engineers and scientists, and communicate technical recommendations to engineering and business leadership.

Requirements

• PhD in Photonics, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in photonic device or system development.
• Deep technical expertise in photonic device physics, optical systems, and experimental development.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex, multidisciplinary R&D programs from concept through prototype validation.
• Strong understanding of photonic device design, fabrication, characterization, packaging, and system integration.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions with incomplete data and resolve difficult first-principles engineering problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence technical direction across organizational boundaries.
• Track record of mentoring technical contributors and building alignment among diverse engineering teams.

Nice to have

• Experience developing photonic technologies for data storage, optical communications, or adjacent high-volume applications.
• Expertise in semiconductor lasers, modulators, detectors, integrated photonics, micro-optics, or optical interconnects.
• Experience bridging device-level innovation with system architecture and product requirements.
• Strong record of patents, publications, invited presentations, or recognized technical leadership in photonics.
• Experience working with external research institutions, fabrication partners, suppliers, or strategic technology collaborators.
• Ability to create new technology directions and translate them into executable development programs.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive workplace with equal employment opportunities and a commitment to diversity and belonging.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, accident, and disability insurance, plus flexible spending and health savings accounts.
• Potential eligibility for short-term incentives, long-term incentives, restricted stock units, and an employee stock purchase plan.
• Tuition reimbursement, transit benefits, employee assistance, legal, pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity programs.
• WD Savings 401(k) Plan.