Optical Engineer for AI Data Center Networks

Spacex; Memphis, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceXAI in Memphis, TN, seeks an Optical Engineer to own the optical layer of AI training and inference fabrics. You will design fiber layout, link budgets, connectors, and production of a scalable optical plant for AI clusters.

The role requires hands-on testing of interconnects, coordination with mechanical and network teams, and experience in high-density fiber systems suited for datacenter-scale deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, optical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of professional experience in fiber layout, optical link design, and/or datacenter/HPC optical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end optical and fiber design for AI training and inference fabrics: fiber cabling, cassette/panel architecture, polarity, breakout, reach, and connector strategy (MPO-12/16, SN, MDC, LC, OSFP / QSFP-DD).
• Write and verify link budgets for scale-out and scale-up interconnect (SMF/MMF, AOC/DAC, DR/FR/LR, InfiniBand and Ethernet).
• Develop and implement factory tests for optical interconnects including insertion loss, return loss, and polarization.
• Select and qualify optics, fiber, and connectivity; own vendor bring-up and fleet reliability of the optical layer.
• Deploy and verify end-to-end optical interconnect into the manufacturing line.
• Lead commissioning and debug: inspect/clean, power meter, OTDR, BER/FEC stats, and volume failure modes.
• Evolve connectivity toward next speed and density (800G / 1.6T).
• Collaborate with mechanical and network teams to design structured cabling and raceways for hall-scale deployments.

Skills

Fiber layout

Optical link design

Datacenter optical engineering

MPO polarity

Optics test

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, optical engineering, physics

Job description

SpaceXAI in Memphis, TN, seeks an Optical Engineer to own the optical layer of AI training and inference fabrics. You will design fiber layout, link budgets, connectors, and production of a scalable optical plant for AI clusters.

The role requires hands-on testing of interconnects, coordination with mechanical and network teams, and experience in high-density fiber systems suited for datacenter-scale deployments.