Optical Network Engineer
MatX•Mountain View, CA
•$120,000 - $475,000•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 position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicants 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
- Company subsidized Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
- Pre-tax Health Savings Accounts with generous company contribution
- 4 weeks paid time off (accrued)
- 12 company holidays
- 3 weeks remote/flexible work per year
- Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- $1,500 yearly towards your professional development e.g. conferences, courses, and other learning opportunities
- Team Lunches, quarterly off-sites, and regular town halls
- 401K and/or Roth IRA, with 5% company contribution
- Pre-tax spend accounts for medical, dental/vision, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses
- $50 per month to use on the perks you care about most
- Home-tech setup
- Remote wifi expense reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
