Engineer, Optical Control Systems

Ayar Labs • San Jose, CA

58d • $120,000 - $160,000

About The Position

We are seeking an Optical Control Systems Engineer to join our Optical Control Systems team. In this role, you will design, model, and implement control systems for an electro-optic system-on-chip (SoC). You will contribute across the full development cycle—from architecture and control design to bring-up, validation, and debugging on real hardware. You will work closely with a small, cross-functional IC development team including Analog/Mixed-Signal, Photonics, ASIC, and Systems engineers. The ideal candidate is a hands-on self-starter who thrives in an environment with broad technical ownership and the opportunity to influence system architecture and product direction.

Requirements

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field and 2+ years of relevant industry experience
• Strong programming skills in Python, C, and/or C++
• Familiarity with digital design or modeling tools such as Verilog-A, Verilog, or SystemVerilog
• Understanding of integrated circuits, system-level design, and development flows

Nice To Haves

• MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• Background in control systems or control theory (academic or practical)
• Experience working with hardware in lab environments, including bring-up, debugging, and validation
• Experience designing or modeling closed-loop control systems
• Knowledge of circuit design environments and mixed-signal workflows (e.g., Cadence tools)
• Exposure to optics, photonics, or electro-optic systems

Responsibilities

• Develop and model control systems for electro-optic subsystems and full system-level solutions as part of a silicon design team
• Contribute to system architecture and define control specifications based on inputs from internal teams, customers, and industry requirements
• Design, analyze, and implement optical control loops spanning analog, digital, and firmware domains to guide design trade-offs and performance optimization
• Implement and validate algorithms in simulation and on real silicon
• Collaborate with Analog, Photonics, and ASIC teams throughout design, tapeout, and post-silicon phases

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees