Optical Test Engineering, Senior Director

Astera Labs•San Jose, CA

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Senior Director of Optical Test Engineering to lead the development, validation, and manufacturing support of advanced integrated optical interconnect solutions. This role focuses on optical-electrical integration at the module level, bridging transceiver and compute platform interfaces with comprehensive test strategy and execution.

Requirements

15+ years in optical engineering, with 5+ years in test engineering leadership
Deep knowledge of optical transceiver design and testing
Experience with optical-electrical integration challenges
Proficiency in optical characterization (loss, dispersion, eye diagrams, jitter)
Fluency with high-speed electrical measurements and signal integrity
Demonstrated success managing technical teams and cross-functional programs
Understanding of data center interconnect architectures and requirements
Strong analytical and troubleshooting capabilities

Nice To Haves

Experience with 112G+ or 200G+ optical systems
Familiarity with thermal management in high-density optical modules
Knowledge of automated test equipment (ATE) programming and optimization
Background in manufacturing process capability analysis
Understanding of substrate technologies (silicon photonics, planar lightwave circuits)
Advanced degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
Strategic vision and execution
Technical depth and credibility
Cross-functional collaboration
Process improvement and lean manufacturing principles
Data-driven decision making
Communication with technical and executive audiences
Change management
Budget and resource management

Responsibilities

Define and execute the optical test engineering roadmap for next-generation interconnect architectures
Establish testing methodologies and standards for tightly integrated optical-electrical assemblies
Lead cross-functional teams across optical design, electrical engineering, manufacturing, and quality
Develop partnerships with ecosystem partners on test protocols and validation requirements
Oversee test strategy development for optical modules with embedded or adjacently mounted optical components
Drive creation of comprehensive test plans covering optical performance, electrical performance, thermal management, and reliability
Establish acceptance criteria and performance benchmarks aligned with data center and enterprise requirements
Manage test equipment specifications, procurement, and deployment across manufacturing sites
Champion accelerated life testing programs for integrated optical-electrical systems
Develop diagnostic and characterization protocols for novel optical assembly approaches
Lead root-cause analysis on field failures and manufacturing defects
Ensure compliance with industry standards (IEEE, IEC, Telcordia) and customer specifications
Build and mentor a team of optical test engineers, technicians, and process specialists
Foster innovation in test methodology and automation
Develop talent pipeline and career advancement opportunities
Promote continuous learning in optical testing technologies and practices
Collaborate with manufacturing operations on yield improvement and test efficiency
Establish in-line test protocols and inline measurement strategies
Support transition from development to production testing
Drive test cost reduction through automation and optimization