Detachable Optical Interface Packaging Engineer

CspeedIO, Inc.; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cspeed IO is a stealth startup developing next-generation optical semiconductor solutions for AI infrastructure in Palo Alto, CA. This role owns the detachable optical interface for CspeedIO engines, covering on-package elements, coupling optics, alignment features, and high-volume assembly.

The position emphasizes tolerance budgeting, dimensional metrology, and achieving hands-off automated mating with OSAT partners.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Define the location of the detachability point and the partition between attached on-package element and mateable plug.
• Define the coupling optics for the detachable path, including expanded-beam or collimated design, lens prescription and tolerancing, surface- vs edge-coupling trade-off.
• Establish the alignment strategy — lithographically defined PIC features, precision mechanical datums, guide-pin or V-groove references — and the passive alignment capability it delivers.
• Own the insertion loss budget, including mated-interface penalty, per-channel uniformity across the array, and return loss.
• Develop the tolerance stack from PIC feature placement through package assembly to plug geometry using statistical methods, with a per-port loss distribution as the deliverable.
• Specify and demonstrate repeatability across mate and demate cycles, and interchangeability across plug units and suppliers.
• Quantify positional and angular sensitivity and define the budget the mechanical design must hold.
• Eliminate per-unit active alignment from the engine assembly flow. Where it cannot be eliminated, relocate it to a separately built and tested subassembly.
• Qualify reflow survivability of the on-package element and compatibility with the assembly flows our OSATs operate.
• Define automated mating requirements: insertion force, blind-mate behavior, retention, and hands-off assembly tooling.
• Establish Cpk on passive placement and coupling loss, with associated SPC limits, yield reporting, and failure taxonomy.
• Maintain the per-port cost and cycle-time model covering alignment, mating and cleaning time, rework, and connector BOM.
• Define contamination control strategy: dust caps, handling protocol, cleaning process and tooling, inspection criteria, and particle-size sensitivity for the selected beam geometry.
• Define serviceability requirements: authorized personnel, permitted mating cycles, required training and tooling, and diagnostic criteria distinguishing contamination from mechanical damage.
• Qualify and manage connector and FAU suppliers, including incoming inspection criteria, pitch and feature tolerance, cleanliness, and lot-to-lot consistency.
• Coordinate with test architecture to ensure interface delivers known-good-engine test capability.

Skills

Optical packaging

Fiber-to-chip coupling

Tolerance analysis

GD&T

Reliability standards

Passive/active alignment

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Optical Engineering or related field

Tools

Zemax

CODE V

Power meters

Job description

Cspeed IO is a stealth startup developing next-generation optical semiconductor solutions for AI infrastructure in Palo Alto, CA. This role owns the detachable optical interface for CspeedIO engines, covering on-package elements, coupling optics, alignment features, and high-volume assembly.

The position emphasizes tolerance budgeting, dimensional metrology, and achieving hands-off automated mating with OSAT partners.