Senior Technical Recruiter - Optical/Photonics (Contract to hire)
About The Position
Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs’ Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company’s COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company’s custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com . We are looking for someone who has successfully built and scaled PIC engineering, design, process, packaging, and test validation teams in the silicon photonics and optical module ecosystem — someone who speaks the language of modulators, lasers, waveguides, heterogeneous integration, silicon photonics platforms, and co-packaged electro-optics. If you have a proven track record of identifying, attracting, and closing senior PhD-level photonics engineers, silicon photonics architects, packaging specialists, and process leaders in this highly competitive space, we want to talk to you.
Requirements
- 7+ years of full-cycle technical recruiting experience, with at least 4+ years specializing in photonics, silicon photonics, or optical communications.
- Demonstrated success building silicon photonics teams designing electrical and optical engines, optical interconnects, or high-speed optical devices.
- Strong technical fluency in: Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) Silicon photonics platforms (SOI, SiN, heterogeneous integration) Optical packaging, laser integration, modulators (MZ, ring, EAM), photodetectors High-speed optical-electrical interfaces for AI/ML and data center applications
- Proven ability to attract and close passive, top-tier PhD and senior engineering talent in a competitive market.
- Exceptional network within the photonics, silicon photonics, and optical module community.
- Experience working with executive stakeholders and engineering leaders in fast-moving, innovative-driven environments.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end talent acquisition strategy and execution for critical Photonics Talent including: Silicon Photonics Design Engineers (PIC layout, simulation, high-speed modulators, detectors) Photonic Packaging & Integration Engineers (heterogeneous integration, co-packaging, 2.5D/3D assembly) Process & Fabrication Engineers (silicon photonics foundry processes, III-V integration, yield optimization) Test & Characterization Engineers (wafer-level, chip-level, optical/electro-optical testing) Optical Systems & Module Architects (CPO/NPO system design, link budgets, DSP integration)
- Build and maintain a high-quality, always-on talent pipeline of passive candidates in the global photonics ecosystem (US, Europe, Asia-Pacific). Leverage deep industry networks.
- Partner closely with hiring managers, technical leads, and executive stakeholders to deeply understand technical requirements, team culture, and success profiles.
- Develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies: Boolean searches, LinkedIn X-ray, conference mining (OFC, ECOC, Photonics West, IEEE Photonics Conference), university outreach, and referral programs.
- Manage full-cycle recruiting: sourcing → screening → interview coordination → offer negotiation → close — with a focus on speed-to-hire without sacrificing quality.
- Track and report key metrics (time-to-fill, source of hire, offer acceptance rate, diversity in pipeline) and continuously improve processes.
- Represent the company as a thought leader in photonics talent acquisition at industry events, panels, and online communities.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
