Sr. IT Systems Administrator

Lightmatter is leading the revolution in AI data center infrastructure, enabling the next giant leaps in human progress. The company invented the world’s first 3D-stacked photonics engine, Passage™, capable of connecting thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light in extreme-scale data centers for the most advanced AI and HPC workloads.

Lightmatter raised $400 million in its Series D round, reaching a valuation of $4.4 billion. We will continue to accelerate the development of data center photonics and grow every department at Lightmatter!

If you're passionate about tackling complex challenges, making an impact, and being an expert in your craft, join our team of brilliant scientists, engineers, and accomplished industry leaders.

Lightmatter is (re)inventing the future of computing with light!

The Sr. IT Systems Administrator must have a strong background in networking, Linux systems, and experience with Windows, focused on supporting and evolving IT environments with our engineering team. You'll be the first line of support for highly technical issues, own the buildout of more robust and secure network and server infrastructure, and collaborate closely with our Engineering teams in a hands-on, fast-moving environment. This role also touches broader IT responsibilities as needed.

You'll operate with a high degree of autonomy and be trusted to make good decisions — experienced enough to own problems independently and leave things meaningfully better than you found them.

Responsibilities

Serve as first-line support for technical issues in our engineering environments, triaging and resolving networking, server, and connectivity problems

Design, deploy, and harden network infrastructure in lab environments — switching, routing, VLANs, firewalls, and wireless

Administer and maintain Linux servers across our mix of distributions (primarily RHEL/CentOS/Fedora and Ubuntu/Debian)

Administer and maintain Windows-driven lab equipment and computers

Help build lab network and systems toward greater robustness, security, and maintainability — this is a build role, not just a keep-the-lights-on role

Manage identity, access, and authentication systems including RADIUS/802.1X and integration with cloud identity providers

Automate routine administrative tasks through scripting (Bash, Python, or similar)

Maintain clear, accurate documentation of infrastructure topology, configurations, and runbooks

Collaborate with Engineering and IT peers on cross-functional infrastructure projects

Evaluate and recommend tooling and process improvements that raise the bar on reliability and security

Qualifications

6–8 years of hands-on experience in IT systems administration, network engineering, or a closely related role

Strong Linux administration skills across RHEL/CentOS/Fedora and/or Ubuntu/Debian

Experience administering Windows workstations

Solid networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing protocols, network design, and firewall policy management

Experience configuring and troubleshooting enterprise wireless, including RADIUS-based authentication (802.1X/EAP-TLS)

Comfortable working in a lab or R&D environment alongside engineers and technical stakeholders

Scripting proficiency for automation — Bash and/or Python and no/low-code tooling

Strong communication skills; able to document clearly and work effectively with a highly technical audiences

Willingness to learn new technologies and grow

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Juniper networking equipment (our primary vendor)

Familiarity with configuration management tooling (Ansible, Puppet, or similar)

Exposure to cloud identity platforms and SSO (Entra ID/Azure AD, Okta, or equivalent)

Exposure to public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Experience with endpoint management platforms (Jamf, Intune, or similar)

Familiarity with specialized Linux distributions such as PetaLinux or OpenBMC

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 a new hire equity grant, annual performance-based equity, and other rewards that recognize your impact and contribution.

$165,000—$215,000 USD

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Savings Matching Program

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Paid Family Leave

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Training & Development

Commuter Benefits

Flexible, hybrid workplace model

Equity grants (applicable to full-time employees)

Benefits eligibility may vary depending on your employment status and location. Lightmatter 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.

Export Control

Candidates should have capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.