Sr. Engineer, Optical Modeling and Statistical Analysis

Staff Engineer, Optical Modeling & Statistical Analysis Location: San Jose, CA office 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, 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. Ayar Labs is seeking a Staff Engineer in Optical Modeling & Statistical Analysis to join our Optical Packaging team in San Jose. You will lead optical performance analysis and modeling to establish interface specifications and assess validation results for our co-packaged optics solutions. This role combines optical physics with statistical analysis to understand component and assembly variation and its impact on packaged optical performance. Working with test, characterization, process, Link Design and Architecture, and quality/reliability teams, you will translate measurement data into optical budgets, acceptance criteria, and recommendations for component and manufacturing improvements. Responsibilities

• Develop optical performance models that quantify component and assembly variation while accounting for measurement uncertainty.
• Analyze and correlate component, wafer, package, and manufacturing datasets to identify performance trends and investigate discrepancies.
• Develop packaging optical budgets with internal teams and translate system allocations into connector and interface specifications.
• Define optical acceptance criteria and assess program builds, supplier lots, and reliability results against product requirements.
• Design experiments with test, characterization, and process engineers to isolate sources of variation and validate model predictions.
• Develop supplier performance comparisons and guide improvement priorities with internal teams and external partners.
• Document models, validation assessments, and recommendations through reproducible analysis and clear technical reviews.

Required Qualifications

• BS in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Statistics, or a related field and 2+ years of relevant industry experience
• Experience leading quantitative analysis and modeling of optical components, packages, or interconnects to support engineering decisions.
• Strong understanding of optical physics, fiber-to-chip coupling, connector performance, and optical loss budgets.
• Experience applying statistical methods to experimental or manufacturing data, including variation analysis, uncertainty estimation, and model validation.
• Proficiency in Python or equivalent tools for processing measurement datasets and developing reproducible analyses.
• Working knowledge of optical characterization, calibration, and measurement repeatability.
• Ability to lead cross-functional investigations and communicate technical conclusions, limitations, and recommended actions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD
• Experience with silicon photonic interfaces, fiber-array units, optical connectors, or optical assembly processes.
• Experience with statistical optical budget modeling, Monte Carlo simulation, or tolerance analysis.
• Familiarity with Zemax, Code V, or equivalent optical modeling tools and correlation with measured performance.
• Experience supporting supplier qualification, reliability assessment, or manufacturing test correlation. 

Salary Range: $170,000 - $192,000 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.