Senior Solutions Architect (US)

The OpportunityLumai is redefining how the world computes. We are an ambitious, venture-backed UK startup pioneering a breakthrough AI accelerator for data centers which uses 3D optical compute. Our radical technology uses light to perform computation at orders of magnitude faster speeds and at far greater scales than ever before, all whilst consuming far less energy than traditional approaches.Lumai is unlocking performance and efficiency gains that could transform the economics of AI and compute infrastructure and reshape how intelligence scales globally.If you are passionate about bringing groundbreaking technology to market, and want to be part of a team pushing the boundaries of what is physically possible, Lumai is where you can make it happen.About LumaiFounded in 2022, Lumai is a University of Oxford spinout using optical processing to accelerate large language models (LLMs) and other transformer-based AI systems. The team combines expertise in optical computing, machine learning, and physics.Lumai has already secured over $15 million in investment from leading deep-tech investors like Constructor Capital, IP Group, PhotonVentures and government grants, and is scaling rapidly to deploy the fastest optical compute currently available globally.The RoleWe are looking for a technically deep and commercially astute Senior Solutions Architect to own the technical heart of our customer engagements as we bring the world's first optical compute inference platform to market. You will be the person who turns a customer's interest into a credible, technical opportunity.You will lead deep technical discovery with the most demanding customers in the industry - hyperscalers, neoclouds, frontier AI labs, and national laboratories - and translate what they need into a Lumai-based solution, mapping their requirements against Lumai's current and roadmap solutions. You will work hands-on with our benchmark team to prove the solution against real customer workloads, and you will author the technical proposals and responses that allow a customer to make the argument for Lumai inside their own organisation.This is an early-stage role where you will help write the playbook. You will be as comfortable in a benchmarking discussion with a customer's ML engineers as you are presenting a solution to their technical leadership, and you will act as a vital channel back into our own product and engineering teams, ensuring the voice of the customer shapes what we build next.What You'll DoWork with Lumai's business development lead, owning the technical relationshipConduct deep technical discovery with customer infrastructure and ML engineering teamsTranslate customer requirements into a Lumai-based solution, mapping needs against both near-term and roadmap solutionsDefine the shape of an engagement - benchmark, proof of concept, reference architecture, or statement of workWorks hands-on with Lumai's benchmark team to scope, run, and interpret benchmarks, and owns the presentation of resultsProduce the technical case for Lumai - proposals, solution documentation, and responses to RFIs, RFPs, and tendersDesign and delivers demos and technical workshops for customer technical teamsFeed customer requirements, evaluation feedback, and roadmap reactions back into product and engineering, playing a critical role in driving the Lumai roadmapWhat We're Looking ForMust-HaveSubstantial experience in a solutions architecture, technical pre-sales, or senior field engineering role within AI infrastructure, high-performance compute, semiconductors, or a comparable deep-tech hardware domainStrong working knowledge of AI inference at scale - how large language models are deployedFamiliarity with data centre architecture: rack power, thermal, networking, and integration with existing software stacksDemonstrated ability to lead technical discovery with sophisticated customers and translate requirements into a solutionComfortable operating in a fast-moving, sometimes ambiguous, pre-product environmentStrong Preference ForDirect experience selling into, or working within, hyperscalers, neo-clouds, frontier AI labs, or national laboratoriesAwareness of the competitive landscape and how Lumai's optical approach is positioned against itBackground or genuine curiosity in novel compute - photonics, optical computing, or other post-silicon architecturesEnough hands-on credibility with benchmarking and performance analysis that customer ML and infrastructure engineers respect your reading of resultsCompensation & BenefitsHighly Competitive Salary: We are not saying our salary is a blank check, but let's just say it won't be a source of your stressShare Option Scheme: We are all in this together! We believe in shared success while we build the Lumai of tomorrowL&D Allowance: Stay at the forefront of your field with a $500 annual development budgetHolidays: Enjoy some deserved "me time" with 25 days paid holiday (plus bank holidays) per yearSocials: Be part of an inclusive community enjoying occasional all-company off-sites, lunches and socialsInterview ProcessOur process is four stages. An initial conversation with our HR team to understand what you want from the role and what we want from it. Two technical sessions with our Product and Leadership team. Finally, an HR-team session covering scope, terms, and any final questions. We aim to move fast on candidates we are excited about; expect roughly three to four weeks end to end.Lumai is an equal opportunity employer. We make hiring decisions on merit, scope-fit, and the strength of the working relationship we expect to build with each hire. Applications welcome from candidates of any background. If you are not sure whether you are a fit, send a note anyway. Lumai