Optical Network Engineer

MatX•Mountain View, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a senior-level, highly specialized engineering role focused on the design, qualification, and productization of next-generation optical interconnect technologies for AI scale-up and scale-out networks. The engineer owns the full lifecycle — from component characterization and link budget analysis to system-level bring-up and data center deployment — across the evolving spectrum of optical integration approaches: pluggables, NPO, and CPO.

Requirements

BS/MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or Photonics
7–12+ years in optical interconnect engineering, with at least 3 years focused on data center or AI fabric applications
Hands-on experience qualifying 400G, 800G, or 1.6T optical modules in production environments
Deep knowledge of PAM4 signal theory, SerDes architecture, and optical link physics at 200G per lane
Proficiency in optical test equipment: BERT, OTDR, optical spectrum analyzers, sampling oscilloscopes (e.g., Keysight 86100), optical power meters, TDECQ testers
Experience with OIF-CEI, IEEE 802.3dj electrical and optical compliance specs
In-depth expertise in debugging and troubleshooting hardware; experience in the product development lifecycle.
Understanding of fiber plant requirements: MPO/MTP connector, fiber cleanliness, insertion loss, PMD, and bend radius for high-density AI cluster cabling
Experience with link budget modeling tools (MATLAB, Python-based photonic simulation, GNPY)
Ability to collaborate with switch ASIC teams (SerDes architects), PCB/signal integrity engineers, thermal/mechanical engineers, and NOS/software teams
Strong technical documentation and vendor communication skills
All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and work from our offices in Mountain View Tuesdays-Thursdays.
This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicant's capacity to perform job functions in compliance with U.S. export control laws without obtaining a license from U.S. export control authorities.

Nice To Haves

Background in AI accelerator or GPU system validation.
Familiarity with JEDEC or PCIe compliance testing methodologies.
Experience with statistical process control (SPC) or large-scale data analysis for silicon characterization.

Responsibilities

Validate and productize high-speed copper and optical connectivity solutions for AI accelerator systems; own vendor due diligence and onboarding for new 1.6T products including AEC and pluggable optical transceivers.
Characterize and qualify optical modules across the integration spectrum — DSP Optics, LRO, LPO, NPO, and CPO — for 800G and 1.6T deployment in scale-up AI fabrics
Perform link budget analysis and evaluate performance metrics including TDECQ, OMA, stressed receiver sensitivity, and associated diagnostics.
Develop expertise in transceiver components including CW lasers, SiPh PICs, EML, DSP, passive subassemblies, their failure modes, and characterization methodologies.
Evaluate silicon photonics (SiPh) transceivers, VCSEL-based MMF links, and EML-based SMF solutions for scale-up fabric topologies
Apply knowledge of thermal, mechanical, power, and signal integrity constraints in dense hardware environments.
Define optical interconnect strategy for AI cluster topologies — rail-optimized, torus, dragonfly, and Clos — at XPU counts from 10K to 1M+.
Model and optimize end-to-end link budgets for 1.6T (200G/lane PAM4) across fiber types: SMF, MMF, MCF.
Engage with the transition from 1.6T to 3.2T (400G/lane) roadmaps and new form factors emerging with LPO and CPO.
Develop familiarity with subcomponent supply chains and global manufacturers, ODMs, and CMs.
Manage technical relationships with optical module vendors (Coherent, II-VI/Coherent, Lumentum, Innolight, HG Genuine, Eoptolink) and silicon photonics suppliers.
Drive NPI (New Product Introduction) qualification plans, yield improvement, and reliability testing with manufacturing partners.

Benefits

4 weeks PTO (accrued)
12 company Holidays
up to 3 weeks remote work
Company-subsidized Medical (Kaiser or Anthem) for employees & dependents
Guardian Dental and Vision insurances for employee & dependents
life insurance (employee only)
HSA and FSA offerings via Lively.
Roth IRA/ 401K (or both) retirement plans with up to 5% company contribution to 401K (even if you don't contribute).
100% company-paid life insurance (up to $300K)
long-term disability insurances.
$1500 Professional Development Budget (per year)
Onsite team lunch & dinner Monday - Friday
Company Uber account for commute, or reimbursement for train rides.
$50/mo to use on the perk you value most
$35/mo for cellular and $40/mo for wifi
100% paid mental health benefit via SpringHealth and Guardian EAP.
Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave regardless of path to parenthood
10 weeks pregnancy disability leave
flexible return-to-work hours
Benepass reproductive health & parental benefit.
Up to $20K/month AI Resources plus a dedicated internal AI Tooling Team