Intern, Free-Space Optical Test Systems

Ayar Labs; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Ayar Labs, the global leader in optical I/O chiplets, is seeking a motivated graduate intern for Free-Space Optical Test Systems in San Jose, on-site. You will help build and characterize an advanced imaging system for silicon photonics, spanning theory, hardware, and software.

The role involves developing computational methods to control the imaging system, designing wavefront control, and driving experiments to meet performance targets with senior engineers guiding you.

Qualifications

• Actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics, EE, Photonics, Optics, or equivalent.
• Strong working knowledge of Fourier optics and beam propagation.
• Hands-on experience building and aligning free-space optical benches.
• Proficiency in Python for numerical optimization and test automation.
• Familiarity with Zemax is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop computational methods that control and optimize the imaging system.
• Design and implement wavefront control and beam propagation modeling.
• Drive the system to defined performance targets via numerical optimization.
• Build and align the optical bench, and write software to control it.
• Run experiments to characterize system performance.

Skills

Fourier optics & beam propagation

Optical imaging system design

Wavefront control & holography

Free-space optical bench alignment

Python for numerical optimization

Zemax familiarity

Education

Ph.D. in Physics, EE, Photonics, Optics, or equivalent

Tools

Zemax

Job description

Position:Intern, Free-Space Optical Test Systems

Location: San Jose, CA

Job Id:745

# of Openings:0

Intern, Free-Space Optical Test Systems

Term: May to August 2027
Please note:

• Position location is on-site in San Jose Office
• There is no immigration (except F1) or relocation support for this position
• Posting expires upon application threshold

Position Description

Ayar Labs, the global leader in optical I/O chiplets, is harnessing silicon photonics to revolutionize the scaling of AI compute hardware. 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.

Our System Engineering team develops the optical measurement and test capabilities that support characterization and qualification of our silicon photonic products. We are looking for a motivated graduate intern to join us in building and characterizing an advanced free-space optical system for imaging various photonic integrated circuits. This is a hands-on role that spans theory, hardware, and code in equal measure. You will develop the computational methods that control and optimize the imaging system — designing and implementing wavefront control, modeling beam propagation through the optical train, and driving the system to defined performance targets through numerical optimization. You will build and align the optical bench yourself, write the software that controls it, and run the experiments that characterize its performance.

The project has well-defined objectives and deliverables for the internship period, and you will be mentored by a senior engineer as you work alongside Ayar Labs engineers to help drive the optical I/O revolution.

Intern Skillset Needed

• Strong working knowledge of Fourier optics and beam propagation, with demonstrated ability to model and compute optical fields through multi-element systems.
• Solid grounding in optical imaging system design, including pupil and image plane relationships, resolution and field of view trade-offs, and aberration theory.
• Hands-on experience with wavefront control and holography, including spatial light modulators or equivalent programmable optical elements.
• Demonstrated experience building and aligning free-space optical benches, including fiber coupling, camera-based imaging, and polarization optics.
• Proficiency in Python for numerical optimization, instrument control, and test automation.
• Familiarity with Zemax or equivalent optical design software is a strong plus.

Education Requirements

• Candidate should be actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optics, or equivalent.

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.