Lumai 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.
Founded 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.
We are looking for a driven and entrepreneurial Head of Business Development to spearhead our expansion into North America. We are now establishing a permanent presence in the region, and this role will be pivotal in representing Lumai on the ground – expanding and building strategic relationships, mapping key ecosystems, and positioning Lumai at the forefront of the AI hardware revolution. For the right candidate, this is a rare opportunity to build and eventually lead Lumai’s business development team in North America.
As our Head of Business Development in North America, you will be the face of the company in the region. We are looking for someone who can develop deep partnerships across an organisation, and open doors across the AI, compute acceleration and data center landscape, by bridging business and transformative technology benefits.
In this strategic role, you will lead engagement with hyperscalers, system integrators, and data center partners, introducing our breakthrough optical-based AI acceleration technology that delivers unprecedented performance, energy efficiency, and total cost of ownership advantages. You will shape our regional go-to-market efforts and help drive adoption of a technology platform capable of reshaping the AI compute stack.
You will identify and engage with the leading players in the AI and accelerator ecosystem: AI cloud providers (neo cloud), AI model developers, hyperscalers, data center operators, as well as other data-intensive sectors that require rapid and efficient computational throughput. You will be responsible for cultivating partnerships, expanding Lumai’s presence, and guiding the full business development lifecycle - from initial engagement to long-term strategic growth. You will shape early partnerships, understand requirements, and help guide our product and go-to-market strategy. You will contribute directly to the strategic vision of the company at the leadership level and assist with future fundraising efforts as we raise additional capital.
Build and own strategic relationships across North American AI and data infrastructure ecosystems
Build market intelligence to shape Lumai’s go-to-market approach and strengthen our competitive position
Engage with executives, technologists, and partners to understand technical and commercial needs and to match needs with Lumai product benefits
Map key organizations, influence decision-makers, and identify partnership opportunities
Represent the company at major AI and compute conferences — including speaking engagements and networking events
Work closely with Lumai’s leadership and engineering teams to feed market insight into product and strategy
Operate independently in a fast-moving, sometimes ambiguous, pre-product environment
Must-Have
10+ years of experience in semiconductors, data centers, or HPC, including at least 5 years in business development or strategic account management
Experience in scaling deep tech ventures is strongly preferred
Deep understanding of the AI compute landscape, including hyperscalers, cloud providers, and AI model developers
Strong understanding of data center infrastructure (CPU, GPU, networking) markets with demonstrated knowledge of these technologies
Strong existing network within North American AI and data center ecosystems
Self-motivated and collaborative leader with a track record of driving cross-functional initiatives across organizations and partnerships with global ecosystem partners
Comfortable working in an early-stage, fast-paced and sometimes high-ambiguity environment
Excellent communicator and relationship builder; confident representing cutting-edge products, benefits and technology at senior levels
Based in the Bay Area, with willingness to travel to other key technology areas in North America as well as to Lumai’s UK HQ
Highly 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 stress
Share Option Scheme: We are all in this together! We believe in shared success while we build the Lumai of tomorrow
L&D Allowance: Stay at the forefront of your field with a $500 annual development budget
Holidays: Enjoy some deserved "me time" with 25 days paid holiday (plus bank holidays) per year
Socials: Be part of an inclusive community enjoying occasional all-company off-sites, lunches and socials
Our 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 commercial 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.
About Lumai
Lumai is the optical compute company building the next generation of AI infrastructure. Spun out of optics research at the University of Oxford in 2021, we compute with light instead of electrons. Our 3D optical technology carries out the matrix multiplications at the heart of AI inside beams of light travelling through free space, which lets it go beyond the limits of both silicon GPUs and integrated photonics.
In April 2026 we launched Iris Nova, the world's first optical computing system to run billion-parameter large language models in real time, using up to 90% less energy than conventional GPU-based systems. Iris Nova, the first server in the family, is now available for evaluation by hyperscalers, neoclouds, enterprises and research institutions. Aura and Tetra will follow.
Our work won the Falling Walls Award for Science Breakthrough of the Year 2025 and 'Best Overall Technology' at the OCP Future Technologies Symposium. We are headquartered in Oxford.
Why Lumai
You'll work on a new kind of computer. Optical computing for AI has been promised for decades. We have a working system running real models, and the hard part left is taking it to volume.
Your work ships. We are moving from first product to volume production, so what you build this year goes into the servers our customers run.
You'll work across disciplines. Optical engineers, machine learning researchers, and hardware and software engineers solve problems together. You will learn things that don't appear on your job description.
The work matters beyond Lumai. AI's appetite for energy is one of the defining constraints of the next decade. Our mission is sustainable intelligence at global scale: AI that is faster, cheaper to run and far less power-hungry.
You'll join early. You'll have a real say in how we build the product, the team and the way we work.
Equal Opportunity
Lumai is an equal opportunity employer. We make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need an adjustment at any stage of the hiring process, let us know and we will do our best to support you.
