| Sr. Engineer, Optical Link Architecture
Location: San Jose, CA (on-site)
Ayar Labs is solving the I/O bandwidth bottlenecks inherent in modern AI compute architectures. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we develop silicon photonics solutions that deliver unprecedented bandwidth density and reach, at a fraction of the power consumption required to scale next-generation AI models.
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD, Mediatek 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.
Joining our Link Design and Architecture team, you will own the optical modeling that underpins our silicon photonics I/O platform — the device-level behavior, the nonlinear and modulation physics, and the behavioral models that feed full end-to-end link simulation. This team is responsible for the robustness and performance of the optical links that power our technology, from component-level modeling through architecture definition, full link analysis, specification development, and yield prediction. Beyond today's products, the team drives the exploration of next-generation link architectures and directly shapes our long-term technology roadmaps.
Essential Functions - Build and maintain behavioral models of photonic components and links at the fidelity needed for link-level analysis, choosing the right modeling approach for each problem.
- Ingest and analyze large volumes of test and foundry data to extract model parameters, quantify device-to-device and wafer-to-wafer variability, and keep models anchored to measured reality.
- Benchmark system-level models against measured link data and close the loop back to device-level models when discrepancies appear.
- Run end-to-end link simulations to evaluate optical device and architecture choices, informing current product design and future roadmap exploration.
- Collaborate with photonic device designers, analog / mixed-signal circuit designers, and test teams to ensure the optical side of the modeling stack evolves coherently with the product roadmap.
Required Qualifications - MS in Optics/Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience in photonics, optical link modeling, or integrated photonic system design.
- Strong understanding of photonic device physics — couplers, waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, micro-ring resonators, gratings — and the optical effects that drive link performance (loss, dispersion, nonlinearity, electro-optic modulation).
- Experience building behavioral or compact models of photonic components (s-matrix, nonlinear, or similar) and benchmarking them against measured data.
- Strong Python skills for scientific computing and data analysis (NumPy, SciPy, pandas, or similar).
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style across engineering disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications - Ph.D.
- Prior experience with silicon photonics or large-scale integrated optical systems.
- Familiarity with optical transceiver principles, high-speed modulation formats, and industry trends (PAM4, coherent, DWDM, etc.).
- Experience with photonic simulation tools (FDTD, Lumerical interconnect, Sax).
- Experience with laboratory optical characterization and free-space/fiber optics.
- Familiarity with Verilog-A behavioral modeling and mixed-signal simulation — useful for collaborating with the Electrical Link Design team on optical/electrical co-simulation.
- Experience with statistical analysis of test data and DOE methods.
Salary range: $170,000 - $230,000
NOTE TO RECRUITERS:
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don’t send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.
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