PI
Optical Systems Architect
Accepting applicationsPER International · San Jose, CA
Full-Time Mid_senior AIMentorSerDesaianalog
Posted
3d ago
Category
Test
Experience
Mid_senior
Country
United States
We are partnering with a leading semiconductor company to hire an Optical Systems Architect to join a newly formed, high-impact team focused on next-generation optical interconnect products.
This is a senior, hands-on individual contributor role with broad technical ownership across end-to-end optical system performance. The position sits at the intersection of optical, electrical, DSP, and system architecture, with responsibility spanning modeling, specification, validation, and product bring-up.
THE ROLE
You will take ownership of optical link performance from FEC to FEC, driving system architecture, modeling, and real-world validation. This role requires both deep technical expertise and the ability to operate across multiple engineering domains in a visible, cross-functional environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Own end-to-end optical link performance, including architecture, link budgets, impairments, margins, and compliance
Develop and maintain system-level models spanning optical, electrical, DSP, and FEC behavior across coherent and IMDD architectures
Define system requirements, interface definitions, and performance specifications for products and key subsystems
Work cross-functionally with analog, SerDes, PIC, firmware, packaging, and reliability teams to drive technical execution
Lead system-level validation, including correlation of simulation results with lab measurements
Support product bring-up, characterization, and debug using optical and electrical test equipment
Represent the system architecture in internal reviews and customer-facing technical discussions
Mentor engineers and contribute to systems engineering best practices
REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
Significant experience in optical systems engineering for high-speed communication or optical interconnect products
Deep understanding of end-to-end optical systems from FEC to FEC
Strong experience in system-level modeling and simulation across optical and electro-optical domains
Strong background in DSP, optical devices, coherent optical systems, IMDD, and forward error correction
Solid understanding of transmitter, receiver, analog, and SerDes interactions in high-speed optical links
Experience defining technical specifications, performance requirements, and system-level targets
Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical efforts
Hands-on experience in lab validation, characterization, and debug
PREFERRED EXPERIECE
Experience in datacenter, AI, or telecom optical interconnect applications
Background supporting customer technical engagements or escalations
Experience correlating system models with hardware measurements during development and bring-up
Exposure to silicon photonics, packaging, or advanced optical subsystems
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is a hands-on IC role at a senior staff / technical lead level
Candidates must be willing to work onsite in San Jose 4 days per week
Relocation support and visa sponsorship are available for qualified candidates
WHY APPLY?
This is an opportunity to take true ownership of optical system architecture within a new and growing team, working on complex, high-speed interconnect products. The role offers significant technical scope, visibility, and the ability to influence next-generation designs from concept through to silicon and system validation.
If you are currently operating at a senior level in optical systems, with strong experience across modeling, architecture, and lab validation, this is a chance to step into a role with real impact and ownership.
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This is a senior, hands-on individual contributor role with broad technical ownership across end-to-end optical system performance. The position sits at the intersection of optical, electrical, DSP, and system architecture, with responsibility spanning modeling, specification, validation, and product bring-up.
THE ROLE
You will take ownership of optical link performance from FEC to FEC, driving system architecture, modeling, and real-world validation. This role requires both deep technical expertise and the ability to operate across multiple engineering domains in a visible, cross-functional environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Own end-to-end optical link performance, including architecture, link budgets, impairments, margins, and compliance
Develop and maintain system-level models spanning optical, electrical, DSP, and FEC behavior across coherent and IMDD architectures
Define system requirements, interface definitions, and performance specifications for products and key subsystems
Work cross-functionally with analog, SerDes, PIC, firmware, packaging, and reliability teams to drive technical execution
Lead system-level validation, including correlation of simulation results with lab measurements
Support product bring-up, characterization, and debug using optical and electrical test equipment
Represent the system architecture in internal reviews and customer-facing technical discussions
Mentor engineers and contribute to systems engineering best practices
REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
Significant experience in optical systems engineering for high-speed communication or optical interconnect products
Deep understanding of end-to-end optical systems from FEC to FEC
Strong experience in system-level modeling and simulation across optical and electro-optical domains
Strong background in DSP, optical devices, coherent optical systems, IMDD, and forward error correction
Solid understanding of transmitter, receiver, analog, and SerDes interactions in high-speed optical links
Experience defining technical specifications, performance requirements, and system-level targets
Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical efforts
Hands-on experience in lab validation, characterization, and debug
PREFERRED EXPERIECE
Experience in datacenter, AI, or telecom optical interconnect applications
Background supporting customer technical engagements or escalations
Experience correlating system models with hardware measurements during development and bring-up
Exposure to silicon photonics, packaging, or advanced optical subsystems
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is a hands-on IC role at a senior staff / technical lead level
Candidates must be willing to work onsite in San Jose 4 days per week
Relocation support and visa sponsorship are available for qualified candidates
WHY APPLY?
This is an opportunity to take true ownership of optical system architecture within a new and growing team, working on complex, high-speed interconnect products. The role offers significant technical scope, visibility, and the ability to influence next-generation designs from concept through to silicon and system validation.
If you are currently operating at a senior level in optical systems, with strong experience across modeling, architecture, and lab validation, this is a chance to step into a role with real impact and ownership.
Show more Show less