Optical Engineer, AI Interconnects & High-Volume Production

CScale; Iowa; On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

CScale is building the interconnect for gigawatt-scale AI, delivering high-bandwidth and low-latency optical subsystems. The Optical Engineer will own architectures spanning lasers, PICs, and fiber arrays, driving design choices from requirements through to production.

Role involves hands-on alignment, lab development, supplier engagement, and production ramp. Ph.D. preferred; strong experience with Zemax/CODE V, Python, and MATLAB is expected. Competitive compensation and equity offered.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of free-space optics, laser beam propagation, Gaussian optics, fiber and waveguide mode coupling, polarization, and optical tolerancing.
• Demonstrated experience designing, integrating, and validating optical subsystems involving lasers, photonic devices, precision optics, or fiber coupling.
• Ability to translate system requirements into optical architectures, component specifications, performance budgets, and measurable validation criteria.
• Proficiency with relevant optical design and simulation tools, and programming or analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Own the optical subsystem architecture across laser delivery, PIC coupling, free-space optical elements, and fiber-array interfaces.
• Translate product requirements into design target, manufacturing spec, interface definitions, and operating margins.
• Lead design trade-offs across optical performance, size, thermal behavior, alignment tolerance, reliability, assembly complexity, production throughput, and cost.
• Work with laser and PIC designers, and packaging engineers to define source characteristics, optical modes, coupling structures, channel geometry, and interface requirements.
• Work with global team extending into 4 different time zones as a joint effort driving forward product development.

Skills

Optical design

Free-space optics

Laser coupling

Photonic devices

Cross-functional communication

Education

Ph.D. in Optical Engineering

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

CODE V

Python

MATLAB

Job description

CScale is building the interconnect for gigawatt-scale AI, delivering high-bandwidth and low-latency optical subsystems. The Optical Engineer will own architectures spanning lasers, PICs, and fiber arrays, driving design choices from requirements through to production.

Role involves hands-on alignment, lab development, supplier engagement, and production ramp. Ph.D. preferred; strong experience with Zemax/CODE V, Python, and MATLAB is expected. Competitive compensation and equity offered.