Principal Engineer, System Validation - Silicon Photonics

Ayar Labs • San Jose, CA

4h • Onsite

About The Position

Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models.

Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.

We are seeking a System validation expert to spearhead the validation efforts that ensure our groundbreaking products meet and exceed both component and system-level requirements. This pivotal role will drive the transition of our technology from initial release to customer deployment, guaranteeing a seamless and high-performance experience for our clients.

If you are a seasoned validation expert who thrives on solving complex technical problems and is passionate about delivering high-quality products, we invite you to apply and join our team of innovators. Ayar Labs is pushing the boundaries of optical interconnect technology with our revolutionary multi-wavelength sources and CMOS chiplets.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience with component and system test equipment (BERT, DCA, OSA, etc.) and standard signal quality metrics (TDECQ, SRS, URS).
• 5+ years of experience in programming languages (Python, etc.) for test automation and data analysis.
• Deep understanding of communication protocols and standards (Ethernet, PCIe, etc.).
• Proven ability to analyze complex technical problems, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
• Understanding of data analysis, process control, and statistical methods.
• Experience with SoC validation planning, bring-up, debugging, and optimization.
• Experience with high-speed SerDes and their characterization and optimization.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor laser & photonic device validation.
• Working knowledge of optical transceiver packaging and integration challenges.
• Strong project management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Validation Strategy: Define and implement comprehensive validation methodologies that guarantee our products meet both component and system-level product requirements. This includes developing test plans, defining success criteria, and selecting appropriate test equipment and methodologies.
• Drive Product Bring-up: Collaborate with Design Engineering to bring up cutting-edge silicon photonic and laser products, troubleshooting and resolving any technical issues that arise.
• Validate Component and System Performance: Perform rigorous design validation on new chips and products through electrical and optical characterization of VLSI integrated circuits and optoelectronic systems.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to identify and implement product improvements through Automatic Test Equipment (ATE), bench characterization, and other techniques.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI): Collaborate with Design, Package, and Reliability Engineering to ensure a smooth and successful transition of products from development to mass production.
• Deliver Customer-Ready Documentation: Author and maintain comprehensive customer-facing validation reports and documentation that clearly communicate product performance and reliability.
• Make Critical Decisions: Drive decisions around design trade-offs and specification adjustments, balancing performance, manufacturability, and time-to-market to ensure products are ready for customer deployment.
• Develop Test Software and Infrastructure: Create and maintain software scripts and test hardware stations required for efficient and comprehensive validation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal