Optical Systems Engineer
On-site · San Jose, California, United States or Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan
Job Summary
Optical Systems Engineer to define and implement the optical interconnect architecture for Etched's next-generation accelerator systems. Lead optical link architecture, evaluate and integrate next-generation interconnect technologies into the product roadmap, drive prototypes from definition to volume production, and collaborate with Signal Integrity, PCB, ASIC, Thermal, and Mechanical teams to implement electrical-optical interfaces in high-performance AI servers. Engage with optical module, laser, and PIC suppliers on specifications and integration, capture interconnect requirements (topology, reach, connectors, fiber management), and bring up optical interfaces on accelerator cards while debugging link issues. Own optics-related documentation (AVLs, fiber/cable BOMs, serviceability guidelines, assembly procedures) and support test development for high-volume manufacturing.
Required Qualifications
- 5–10 years of experience in optical interconnect, transceiver, or photonic system design for high-density compute systems
- Expertise across Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), Near-Packaged Optics (NPO), Optical Compute Interconnect (OCI), Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO), and emerging form factors (XPO)
- Strong fundamentals in optical link engineering including link-budget analysis, IL/RL, OSNR, eye diagrams, jitter, BER, and FEC margining
- Working knowledge of laser sources, modulators, TIAs, and DSPs/retimers
- Knowledge of high-speed host interfaces such as 100G/200G-per-lane PAM4
- Experience with traditional pluggable solutions (OSFP, QSFP-DD)
- Deep familiarity with photonic-electronic co-design and advanced packaging methods (fiber-attach, edge couplers, grating couplers, V-groove FAUs, detachable optical connectors), optical interposers, and 2.5D/3D heterogeneous integration
- Comfort co-designing optical engines alongside the ASIC, substrate, package, and cold-plate-integrated liquid cooling solutions
- Conversant in standards and MSAs (OCI, Open CPX, OIF, UCIe)
- Proven track record of bringing up optical links and PIC-based subsystems with root-cause debugging with PIC foundries, ELS vendors, and OSATs
- Deep understanding of datacenter infrastructure, including high-power (>10 kW) liquid-cooled AI servers and cluster-scale optical fabrics
- Passion for modern AIs and willingness to learn on the job
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