Sr. Staff Engineer, Optical Packaging

Ayar Labs • San Jose, CA

7h • $170,000 - $223,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Ayar Labs is seeking a skilled Optical Engineer to join our Packaging Team and drive the design, simulation, and validation of advanced optical packaging solutions and optical components used in our silicon photonics platforms. This role focuses on fiber optics, fiber-to-chip coupling interfaces, and optical connectors. You will develop and analyze coupling structures, connector interfaces, and micro-optics, ensuring high optical performance across the desired wavelength range and optical link formats in the system. This position is ideal for a hands-on, self-driven engineer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can move optical concepts from early design through production readiness while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in optical design, fiber-optic systems, or connectorized optical interfaces.
• Hands-on experience with optical characterization and validation tools (e.g., optical digital communications analyzer, IL/RL measurement, mode-field analysis, beam profiling, connector inspection).
• Proficiency with optical design and simulation software (Zemax, Code V, or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of silicon photonics, fiber-optic communication principles, and semiconductor laser technologies.
• Familiarity with wavelength grid standards, optical modulation formats and eye diagram.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Physics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Background in materials behavior (adhesives, epoxies) from a design or modeling perspective.
• Experience in the design of anti-reflection coatings and reflective coatings.
• Opto-mechanical design experience for connector interfaces and alignment features.
• Familiarity with semiconductor packaging, photonic integration, or OSAT manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and validate optical packaging solutions and optical components for Ayar Labs’ silicon photonics and laser packaging platforms.
• Develop and optimize optical interfaces, including fiber-to-chip coupling interfaces and optical connectors.
• Analyze package optical interface performance, including physical-layer behavior, link-layer considerations, and optical protocol requirements.
• Simulate and validate optical signal integrity across fiber-to-chip coupling and connector interfaces within the system.
• Develop optical packaging solution characterization methodologies, including system-level performance metrics, optical eye-diagram evaluation, and link performance.
• Model optical performance using tools such as Zemax or equivalent, including coupling efficiency, tolerance analysis, wavelength-dependent behavior, and environmental sensitivity.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, thermal, and reliability teams, as well as suppliers and OSATs, to ensure optical interfaces meet manufacturability, performance, and reliability targets.

What This Job Offers

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