About Us​

Pioneering Multi-Wavelength Optical Innovation for the Everything over Optical™ Era

At Pilot Photonics, we are leading the transition to the Everything over Optical™ era by developing cutting-edge tunable and multi-wavelength laser technologies that enable dramatic scaling in AI, cloud computing, 5G/6G networks, and next-generation data centers.
Our patented comb lasers, integrated tunable lasers, and high-speed optical interconnect solutions address the critical challenges of scaling capacity and bandwidth density, while reducing power consumption.

With a heritage rooted in world-leading expertise in optical comb generation, our founders have been pioneering multi-wavelength laser communication since 2005. Today, we develop and commercialize integrated photonics solutions that enable data centers, telecom networks, and space systems to operate at unprecedented speeds and efficiency. Our flagship innovations include:

  • nano-iTLA (Integrated Tunable Laser Assembly)
    A fast-switching, low-linewidth tunable laser optimized for datacenter interconnects and telecom applications, offering low linewidth and rapid wavelength agility.
  • iCLA (Integrated Comb Laser Assembly)
    A monolithic chip integrating a gain-switched comb and an injection-locked demultiplexer, delivering multiple coherent wavelengths for coherent transceiver scaling and next-gen 5G, 6G, and satellite communication.
  • ExCELS™ (External Comb-Enhanced Laser Source)
    A hybrid comb + laser array technology providing the wavelength stability, phase coherence and accuracy of comb lasers with the high optical power of laser arrays.
  • Coherent Combs for Co-Packaged Optics (C3PO)
    A portfolio of patents, know-how and innovations designed to unlock the full potential of Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) by increasing capacity/throughput by 10X while reducing laser power consumption by 10X, thereby future-proofing AI datacenters. 

 

At Pilot Photonics, our mission is to enable the optical networks of tomorrow with high-performance, scalable, and energy-efficient solutions that redefine how data moves across the world and beyond.

Our People

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William Oppermann

CEO

Dr. Frank Smyth is Chief Technical Officer and Founder of Pilot Photonics

Dr. Frank Smyth

CTO and Co-founder

Nicola Smyth is Chief Financial Officer at Pilot Photonics

Nicola Smyth

CFO

Robert McDonnell is Chief Operations Officer at Pilot Photonics

Robert MacDonnell

COO

Gavin King is Operations MAnager at Pilot Photonics

Gavin King

Operations Manager

Damian Colour

Damian McGillivary

Sales Director

Dr. Desi Gutierrez is Director of Photonics at Pilot Photonics

Dr. Desi Gutierrez

Director of Photonics

Jules Braddell is the Director of Engineering at Pilot Photonics

Jules Braddell

Director of Innovation

Dr. Gaurav Jain is the Research and Development Manager at Pilot Photonics

Dr. Gaurav Jain

Research and Development Manager

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Alison Kearney

Senior Photonics Engineer & Programme Manager

Dr. Shane Duggan is Senior PIC Design Engineer at Pilot Photonics

Dr. Shane Duggan

Principal PIC Design Engineer

Dr. Ankit Sharma is Senior Photonics Engineer at Pilot Photonics

Dr. Ankit Sharma

Senior Photonics Engineer

Chris McGuinness is a Photonics Technician at Pilot Photonics

Chris McGuinness

Photonics Engineer

Dr. Robert McKenna is a PIC Design Engineer at Pilot Photonics

Dr. Robert McKenna

Senior PIC Design Engineer

Dr. Caolán Murphy is a Photonics Engineer at Pilot Photonics

Dr. Caolán Murphy

Senior Photonics Engineer

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David Coffey

Principal RF & Electonics Engineer

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Cristian Vargas

Photonics Engineer

Dr. Amol Delmade

Dr. Amol Delvade

Senior Photonics Engineer & Product Strategist

Our Advisors

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Dr. Stan Lumish

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Shoa-kai Liu

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Prof. Andrew Ellis

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Prof. Liam Barry

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Prof. Prince Anandarjah

Want to know more ?

Pilot Photonics Enabling single-chip photonic integrated circuits with comb-enhanced capabilities at wafer scale, today.

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