Vice President of Silicon Engineering

About Voyant Photonics

Voyant Photonics is redefining machine perception with compact, high-performance LiDAR devices that fit in the palm of your hand. Leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonic chips, our sensors deliver unparalleled accuracy in range, velocity, and reflectivity, at a fraction of the cost of traditional LiDAR systems. By transforming high-precision sensing into an accessible technology, we are enabling new applications in robotics, autonomous systems, industrial automation, and beyond.

At Voyant, we are not just building products, we are advancing an industry. Our breakthrough technology bridges the gap between research and real-world deployment, making high-performance LiDAR scalable and commercially viable.

About Us:

Voyant Photonics, based in the heart of New York City, is transforming machine perception with a new class of LiDAR devices that are compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand and powerful enough to measure range, velocity, and reflectivity with unparalleled accuracy. By leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonic chips smaller than your fingertip, we deliver sensors that are not only revolutionary in performance but also affordable enough to integrate into any system.

Our technology disrupts the status quo of bulky, expensive, and power-hungry LiDAR systems, making high-precision sensing accessible for widespread adoption in robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial automation, and beyond. With Voyant, the next generation of machines can see, understand, and navigate the world like never before.

Discover how we’re redefining what’s possible by making real products out of cutting-edge research in silicon photonics.

Location: This role is based in New York City. We offer relocation assistance and are open to remote arrangements, with monthly travel to the NYC office.

Position Summary

Voyant Photonics is seeking an exceptional Vice President of Silicon Engineering to lead the development of multiple mission-critical ASICs that form the electronic backbone of our FMCW LiDAR systems. Reporting directly to the Chief Science Officer, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity puts you at the forefront of building the physical AI in every moving device. You will drive silicon development from architecture through volume production, managing both internal engineering teams and external design partners to deliver complex digital and mixed-signal ASICs that seamlessly integrate with our cutting-edge silicon photonics LiDAR platform.

This leadership role offers the chance to shape the silicon architecture behind breakthrough LiDAR technology in a well-funded, rapidly growing deep-tech startup. You will collaborate closely with world-class photonics and systems engineers in a highly innovative environment, helping define the future of autonomous sensing and redefining how machines perceive the world.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Define and drive the silicon roadmap aligned with product requirements and photonic PIC integration needs

• Lead architecture and design of multiple ASICs including high-speed digital signal processing, precision analog front-ends, drivers, and power management

• Discern what technologies should be integrated into the Voyant ASIC chipset and what are best left for implementation with catalog components

• Establish design methodologies, flows, and best practices across advanced digital and specialty analog/BCD technology nodes

• Interface closely with photonics, systems, and product teams to optimize silicon photonics co-design

• Drive critical technical decisions on architecture, process selection, IP strategy, and design-for-manufacturing

Program Management

• Manage end-to-end ASIC development from specification through tape-out, characterization, qualification, and production ramp

• Build and maintain relationships with foundries (TSMC, GlobalFoundries, etc.), IP vendors, and design service providers

• In partnership with the project management organization, establish project schedules, resource plans, and budgets; track milestones and deliver to committed timelines

• Implement risk management strategies and contingency planning for complex multi-project silicon development

• Drive design reviews, validation plans, and post-silicon debug activities

Team Development

• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing internal silicon engineering team

• Recruit top talent across digital design, analog/mixed-signal design, physical design, and verification

• Manage external contractors and design houses; ensure quality and alignment with internal standards

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration

Business Impact

• Partner with executive leadership to align silicon strategy with business objectives and product timelines

• Support customer engagements with technical presentations and roadmap discussions

• Contribute to fundraising and investor communications with technical credibility

• Drive cost optimization and yield improvement initiatives to meet product margin targets

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master's or PhD preferred)

• 10+ years of experience in ASIC development with at least 3 years in management or technical leadership roles

• Proven track record architecting and/or managing complex mixed-signal ASIC projects through production

• Deep expertise in advanced digital ASIC design methodologies

• Strong knowledge of analog and mixed-signal design in specialty process technologies

• Experience managing multi-project portfolios with internal teams and external design partners

• Demonstrated success taking ASICs from concept through volume production and qualification

• Strong understanding of ASIC cost drivers, yield optimization, and manufacturing economics

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed data converters (ADCs/DACs), pipelined DSP, and analog circuits including TIAs and high-frequency amplifiers

• Background in sensor systems, imaging, LIDAR, radar, or related applications

• Familiarity with silicon photonics or optical system integration

• Experience with signal processing algorithms and hardware acceleration

• Knowledge of functional safety standards (IEC 61508, ISO 26262) and safety-critical design practices

• Knowledge of automotive, industrial, space, or other rugged environment qualification requirements (AEC-Q100, etc.)

• Track record in startup or fast-paced product development environments

• Existing relationships with foundries, IP vendors, and design service ecosystem

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong execution discipline

• Excellent communication skills across technical and business audiences

• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and adapt to changing priorities

• Strong cross-functional collaboration and influence skills

• Results-oriented with accountability for commitments

• Technical depth combined with business acumen

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity package

• Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Unlimited PTO and paid company holidays

• Flexible work environment (Hybrid or remote with travel)

• Team events and company meetups

Equal Opportunity Employer

Voyant Photonics is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, or any other characteristic protected by law.