Electronic Hardware Engineer

Opticore; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Opticore, based in California, is seeking an Electronic Hardware Engineer to translate system requirements into practical electronic hardware for photonic computing systems. The role focuses on board development, high‑speed analog design, and signal conditioning, with opportunities for senior level placement based on qualifications.

You will own the full lifecycle from schematic to prototype validation, working closely with photonics and electronics teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency with PCB design software such as Altium Designer.
• Expertise in high‑speed analog and mixed‑signal PCB development.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and parasitics.

Responsibilities

• Own board development from component selection and schematic design to PCB layout and bring‑up.
• Develop high‑speed analog circuits, DACs/ADCs, and interfaces to PICs and TIAs.
• Coordinate fabrication and assembly with vendors and maintain test documentation.

Skills

PCB design

High‑speed analog

Signal integrity

Altium Designer

Circuit troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Conventional chips are hitting a wall, and as AI inference demand grows, power consumption is becoming the single biggest constraint on deployment at scale.

Opticore is developing a photonic computing system that accelerates artificial intelligence workloads with exceptional speed and energy efficiency.

About the Role

We are seeking an Electronic Hardware Engineer with broad expertise in circuit design, PCB development, and hardware testing. Working closely with our photonics and electronics engineers, you will translate system requirements into practical electronic hardware for photonic computing systems, with attention to signal integrity, noise, and parasitic effects. The position may be offered at the Senior level depending on qualifications.

You will own board development from component selection and schematic design through PCB layout, prototype bring-up, and validation. The work includes high-speed analog circuits, data converters such as DACs and ADCs, interfaces to photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and board-level circuits such as TIAs, integrators, and signal conditioning using discrete components and ICs.

You will develop test plans, characterize and troubleshoot electronic prototypes with the photonics team, and analyze and document results. You will also coordinate fabrication and assembly with vendors and maintain component libraries, design files, and test documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency with PCB design software such as Altium Designer.
• Demonstrated expertise in high-speed analog circuit design and mixed-signal PCB development, including circuits with DACs, ADCs, TIAs, or integrators, with the ability to independently design, build, and troubleshoot boards.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, low-noise design, and the effects of parasitic capacitance and inductance.
• Strong foundation in analog and digital circuits, power supplies, operational amplifiers, feedback circuits, and component selection.
• Experience using circuit simulation to support design and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with multilayer PCB design and manufacturing requirements.
• Experience with board bring-up, troubleshooting, and electrical testing using oscilloscopes, signal generators, and other relevant equipment. Ability to measure circuit performance, including gain, bandwidth, noise, and stability, and analyze results.
• Ability to work independently, communicate clearly, and collaborate in a research and development environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience developing electronic hardware for photonic systems.
• Experience with rapid hardware prototyping.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift and carry equipment or materials weighing up to 35 pounds.

We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will reach out to shortlisted candidates.