Senior Optical Hardware Engineer

Credo•San Jose, CA

2d•$140,000 - $210,000•Onsite

About The Position

Credo is seeking a Senior Optical Hardware Engineer to join their Zero Flap optical module development team. This role involves validating and debugging optical modules operating at 212.5 Gbps (PAM4) and beyond, utilizing expertise in signal and power integrity for optimal performance and readiness for high-volume production. The engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams and industry partners to advance Credo’s Zero Flap optical products from prototype through mass manufacturing, playing a critical role in shaping the next generation of high-speed optical interconnects.

Requirements

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optoelectronics, Optics, or Applied Physics, with 7+ years of relevant experience.
Familiarity with industry standards governing optical modules (IEEE, QSFP-DD, OSFP, CMIS).
Proficiency with PCB design and analysis tools.
Hands-on experience with high-speed optical and electrical test equipment.
Familiarity with optical alignment and manufacturing-floor equipment.
Strong skills in analyzing alignment data.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing PCBs for 800Gbps or 1.6Tbps optical transceiver modules.
Familiarity with optical component manufacturing technologies and the industry landscape.
Experience leading and contributing to cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Review PCB-level requirements, interfaces, and constraints in collaboration with mechanical, firmware, optical, and manufacturing teams.
Review PCB layouts, including component placement, stack-up design, high-speed routing, controlled impedance paths, and SI/PI-driven layout strategies.
Perform PCB bring-up, debugging, and characterization using oscilloscopes, VNAs, high-speed scopes, and power analysis tools.
Review SI/PI simulations and modeling reports, including channel analysis, PDN optimization, and high-speed data path modeling for 1.6Tbps+ module architectures.
Support NPI and mass production, ensuring manufacturability, yield, reliability, and DFM compliance.
Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure production readiness and timely issue resolution.
Coordinate electrical-optical system integration for high-speed modules, aligning PCB architecture with optical engine requirements.
Define electrical interfaces for optical components—drivers, TIAs, DSPs/Coherent ASICs, lasers, and photodiodes—ensuring signal integrity across the full optical chain.
Collaborate with optical, mechanical, and packaging teams to co-optimize PCB designs for thermal paths, mechanical constraints, fiber routing, and optical engine placement.
Support integration of optical subassemblies (ROSAs, TOSAs, Coherent Optical Engines), including connector selection, power delivery, and high-speed interface routing.
Debug electrical-optical performance issues, including modulation errors, link margin problems, thermal drift, eye diagrams, and interface compatibility.
Develop system-level test plans validating both electrical and optical performance against industry standards (IEEE, OIF, MSAs).
Work with optical component suppliers to align mechanical, electrical, and thermal requirements and influence next-generation platform roadmaps.
Ensure seamless integration across the full module stack: firmware, DSP/ASIC behavior, power regulation, clocking, and optical performance.