Sr. Engineer, Photonics Infrastructure Development

Sr. Engineer, Photonics Infrastructure Development Location: San Jose (on-site required) 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. As a photonics engineer, you will push the envelope of bandwidth density, energy efficiency, and manufacturability of our silicon photonics optical I/O platform, removing the bottlenecks limiting next-generation AI and advanced compute architectures. You will work as part of a small team in a fast-paced, dynamic startup culture, dedicated to the principle that we will succeed and grow by constantly reinventing ourselves. Essential functions * System Integration of the photonic circuits enabling our aggressive optical I/O product roadmap * Build data infrastructure: formulate and extend custom code base for layout, analysis, and automated checking * Align submission with PIC requirements in collaboration with experts in laser, packaging, firmware and circuits to ensure product success Basic qualifications * MS degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field * 4+ years (research and commercial) experience developing electro-optic systems * Demonstrated scalability mindset: using and extending automation pipelines * Proficient in script-based photonic layout tools (e.g. gdsfactory, ipkiss, klayout pya) * Great programming skills; proficiency with Python and experience developing a code base as part of a team * Demonstrated scalability mindset: using and building on best-in-class tools * Proven track record submitting complex PIC designs resulting in high performance systems Preferred qualifications * Deep understanding of photonic devices: couplers, photodetectors, electro-optic modulators, micro-ring resonators, gratings * Experienced with simulation and design tools for passive and active optical devices (e.g., FDTD, charge transport) * Experience with statistical analysis of test data, DOE methods * Familiarity with optical transceiver principles, transmission formats, and industry trends Salary range: $150,000-$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 Affirmative Action/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.

Created: 2026-04-02