Sr. Staff Engineer, Laser Module Validation

Sr. Staff Engineer, Laser Module Validation 

Location: San Jose (on-site) Ayar Labs is transforming AI infrastructure with the industry's first proven co-packaged optics (CPO) solution, manufactured in partnership with the world's leading semiconductor ecosystem. Backed by industry leaders including NVIDIA, AMD, MediaTek and Intel, our technology moves data at the speed of light — faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy consumed by conventional electrical interconnect.
Laser Module Validation Engineer is part of the product development team and is focused on engineering and design validation testing of multiwavelength laser sources for optical I/O and their subcomponents. The candidate will design, build, and set up validation test fixtures and test stations, carry out validation tests, and provide data sets and analysis needed for laser module design and optimization. Findings will be communicated to the internal team as well as to external suppliers and customers.

Essential Functions

• Work closely with architecture, design, and product engineering teams to verify and understand expected capabilities and testing needs.
• Design test fixtures and test probes, and set up test fixtures and test stations to support laser module characterization and validation.
• Work with mechanical design engineers to design and build test stations, including fixturing, alignment, and optomechanical layout.
• Configure and maintain instrument control and set up test recipes/sequences for automated data collection.
• Perform Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility (GRR) studies to validate and qualify test station and measurement system performance.
• Close the design feedback loop and identify critical performance metrics with product development; perform feasibility studies to optimize laser source performance.
• Develop and implement test protocols to evaluate and compare different engineering approaches.
• Maintain testing equipment and develop processes to improve test efficiency.
• Analyze test data, document results, and provide feedback to the development team.
• Document and communicate data and analyses.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Understanding of semiconductor laser function and physics.
• 5+ years of industry experience in module-level, or chip-on-carrier characterization of lasers, LEDs, SOAs, including LIV, optical spectrum measurements, and thermal dependence.
• 5+ years of industry experience setting up and bringing up lab equipment and experimental setups for testing photonic devices.
• Ability to design test fixtures and test probes, and to set up test fixtures and test stations.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python for instrument control, test automation, data collection, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues during the testing process.
• Ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders with clear communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Laser test HW/fixture design and development experience; experience working with mechanical designers on test station design.
• Experience testing packaged laser modules and/or transceivers for datacom applications.
• Experience working with test equipment including benchtop lasers, VNA, switches, OSA, ESA, BERT, optical and electrical spectrum analyzers, high speed oscilloscopes (DCA), source-meter units, reference transmitters, and receivers.
• Experience with noise characterization and laser linewidth measurements, including RIN (Relative Intensity Noise), ONA (Optical Noise Analysis), and self-homodyne / self-heterodyne test setups.
• Experience with Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility (GRR) studies and measurement system analysis.
• Preferred experience testing optical modules including electrical control hardware and firmware, and photonic module bring-up.
• Experience in process transfer from small volume/NPI to mass production.

Salary range: $180,000 - $223,000 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.