AI Systems Architect

The AI Systems Architect will play a critical role in shaping how Optalysys technology is applied to real-world AI workloads.

Working across Engineering, Product and Commercial teams, you will help create the intersection of models, workflows and graphs at different layers of the applicaion through data networking to architect how our technology integrates into existing AI ecosystems, identify new application opportunities and translate complex technical challenges into scalable solutions.

This role combines deep technical expertise with strong communication skills and requires someone who enjoys working directly with customers, influencing product direction and helping bring breakthrough technologies to market.

As one of our key technical ambassadors in North America, you will represent Optalysys with enterprise customers, strategic partners and industry leaders while helping shape the future of our AI platform.

Responsibilities

AI Solution Architecture

• Design AI system architectures that leverage Optalysys technology to solve complex computational challenges.
• Develop reference architectures and deployment models for scalable AI environments.
• Support customers in integrating Optalysys solutions into existing AI, HPC and cloud infrastructures.
• Evaluate customer workloads and recommend optimal deployment approaches.

Technical Customer Engagement

• Act as the primary technical advisor during customer engagements
• Understand customer objectives and translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Deliver technical presentations, demonstrations and architecture workshops.
• Support proof-of-concept projects and technical evaluations.
• Build trusted relationships with customer engineering, AI and infrastructure teams.

Product & Engineering Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering and Product teams to communicate customer requirements and market feedback.
• Influence future product capabilities through customer insights.
• Support product roadmap discussions with technical expertise.
• Collaborate on technical documentation and implementation best practices.

AI Performance & Optimisation

• Analyse AI workloads to identify performance optimisation opportunities.
• Evaluate large language models, inference pipelines and machine learning workflows.
• Benchmark system performance and identify areas where photonic acceleration provides measurable benefit.
• Develop best practices for deploying AI workloads on Optalysys platforms.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership across customer projects.
• Mentor internal teams on AI architectures and emerging technologies.
• Contribute to internal technical strategy and architecture standards.
• Support cross-functional teams throughout the customer lifecycle.

Industry Representation

• Represent Optalysys at technical conferences, industry events and customer workshops.
• Publish technical content, whitepapers and architecture guidance where appropriate.
• Build relationships within the AI, semiconductor and photonics communities.
• Stay informed on emerging AI technologies, frameworks and industry trends.

Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience designing AI systems inclusive of optical networks and fabrics
• Strong understanding of machine learning, deep learning and modern AI infrastructure.
• Experience with Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI and inference optimisation.
• Experience designing scalable cloud or high-performance computing architectures.
• Strong understanding of GPU computing, AI accelerators or advanced compute platforms.
• Experience working with enterprise customers and technical stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for a range of audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively across Product, Engineering and Commercial teams.

Desirable

• Experience with photonic computing, optical systems or semiconductor technologies.
• Knowledge of confidential computing, encryption or secure AI.
• Experience with NVIDIA CUDA, TensorRT or AI acceleration frameworks.
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker and containerised AI deployments.
• Familiarity with AWS, Azure or Google Cloud AI platforms.
• Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow or JAX.
• Understanding of distributed AI training and inference.
• Experience within research organisations, national laboratories or defence programmes.
• Experience working within a start-up or scale-up environment.

Personal Attributes
We're looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about emerging AI technologies.
• Naturally curious and motivated by solving complex technical challenges.
• Comfortable working across multiple disciplines and teams.
• Customer-focused with excellent relationship-building skills.
• Able to balance technical excellence with commercial awareness.
• A strong communicator who enjoys explaining complex ideas.
• Adaptable and comfortable operating in a fast-moving deep-tech environment.
• Self-motivated, collaborative and proactive.

What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12–18 months you will have:

• Designed scalable AI architectures for key customer deployments.
• Successfully supported enterprise customer evaluations and proof-of-concept projects.
• Become a trusted technical advisor to customers and partners.
• Influenced product development through customer feedback and technical insight.
• Helped establish best practices for deploying Optalysys technology within AI environments.
• Represented Optalysys as a recognised technical expert across the North American market.

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.

Salary Range: total compensation goes beyond base salary, it also includes equity, comprehensive health care plan, retirement savings matching program, generous time off, annual performance-based bonus, and other rewards that recognise your impact and contribution.

Benefits eligibility may vary depending on your employment status and location. Optalysys recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.