Sr. Staff Engineer, Free Space Optics

Ayar Labs • San Jose, CA

21h • 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, Mediatek, 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 Sr. Staff Optical Engineer to lead optical test, characterization, and modeling for free-space optical systems in next-generation modules. This is a hands-on, lab-centric role with strong ownership of measurement strategy, while also driving modeling and simulation to predict, interpret, and correlate system performance. You will bridge design and reality—ensuring optical architectures are both well-understood and production-ready.

Requirements

• MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 6+ years of experience spanning optical testing, modeling, and system validation
• Deep hands-on expertise in free-space optical alignment and fiber coupling
• Knowledge in optical measurement techniques (IL, RL, beam profiling, polarization, etc.)
• Strong proficiency in optical modeling tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V, Lumerical or equivalent)
• Proven ability to correlate simulation with experimental results
• Experience building and scaling optical test setups and automation frameworks
• Strong analytical skills to extract insights from complex datasets and drive decisions

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D.
• Experience with optical transceivers or photonic modules
• Familiarity with laser systems and source behavior
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing and yield optimization
• Exposure to reliability testing and environmental qualification

Responsibilities

• Lead development of optical test and characterization frameworks for free-space optical subsystems, including: Lenses, isolators, and polarization optics, Fiber Array Units (FAUs) and fiber coupling interfaces
• Develop and own optical models and simulations to: Predict coupling efficiency, loss mechanisms, and alignment tolerances, Analyze sensitivity to mechanical, thermal, and optical variations,
• Guide design decisions and test plans
• Perform deep optical characterization and root-cause analysis
• Partner with design, laser, and packaging teams to: Feed test insights back into architecture and tolerancing
• Define realistic specs and manufacturability limits
• Drive DFM/DFT for optical systems, including alignment strategies, test coverage, and yield optimization
• Support NPI builds, bring-up, and production ramp, ensuring robust and scalable test methodologies

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees