Optical Module Layout Engineer

Supermicro; Wayne (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Supermicro is seeking an Optical Module Layout Engineer to join the Optical Engineering team. You will design physical PCB layouts for high-speed optical transceivers used in AI, Cloud, Data Center, and HPC applications, collaborating across electrical, mechanical, optical, and supplier teams.

The role focuses on 112G/224G PAM4, 800G and 1.6T modules with an emphasis on SI/PI, tight layout guidelines, and reliable manufacturability. Bachelor's degree required; Master’s preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Physics, Optics, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of PCB layout experience in optical transceiver products.
• Experience with optical module design including QSFP28, QSFP-DD, OSFP, CFP, or coherent optical modules.

Responsibilities

• Develop PCB layouts for high-speed optical transceiver products including QSFP, QSFP-DD, OSFP, and future module forms.
• Perform component placement optimization considering SI, PI, thermal, manufacturability and reliability requirements.
• Collaborate with electrical and SI engineers for high-speed differential routing (112G, 224G PAM4).
• Work with optical, mechanical, and packaging engineers for laser, photodiodes, DSPs, TIAs, drivers, and engines.
• Create and maintain layout guidelines, stack-up definitions, design rules, and best practices.
• Conduct SI and PI reviews using simulations and analysis methods.
• Support DFM, DFA, DFT activities; prototype bring-up, debugging, qualification, root-cause analysis.
• Interface with PCB fabricators, assembly vendors, and suppliers to resolve design/manufacturing issues.
• Support NPI and product lifecycle management activities.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.

Skills

Signal Integrity

Power Integrity

EMC

High-speed Design

PCIe Gen4/5/6

100G/200G/400G/800G

PAM4 SerDes

Optical Transceivers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Cadence Allegro

Altium Designer

Mentor Xpedition

Job description

Job Req ID: 30642

About Supermicro

Supermicro is a Top Tier provider of advanced server, storage, and networking solutions for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/ Big Data, Hyperscale, HPC and IoT/Embedded customers worldwide. We are the #5 fastest growing company among the Silicon Valley Top 50 technology firms. Our unprecedented global expansion has provided us with the opportunity to offer a large number of new positions to the technology community. We seek talented, passionate, and committed engineers, technologists, and business leaders to join us.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Optical Module Layout Engineer to join our Optical Engineering team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the physical design, PCB layout of high-speed optical transceiver modules used in AI, Cloud, Data Center, and High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications. This role requires close collaboration with electrical, mechanical, optical, manufacturing, and supplier engineering teams to develop next-generation 800G and 1.6T optical modules.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop PCB layouts for high-speed optical transceiver products including QSFP, QSFP-DD, OSFP, and future optical module form factors.
• Perform component placement optimization considering signal integrity, power integrity, thermal performance, manufacturability, and reliability requirements.
• Collaborate with electrical and signal integrity engineers to implement high-speed differential routing for channels operating at 112G, and 224G PAM4.
• Work closely with optical, mechanical, and packaging engineers to ensure successful integration of lasers, photodiodes, DSPs, TIAs, drivers, and optical engines.
• Create and maintain layout guidelines, stack-up definitions, design rules, and best practices.
• Conduct signal integrity and power integrity reviews utilizing simulation tools and design analysis methodologies.
• Support DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFA (Design for Assembly), and DFT (Design for Test) activities.
• Participate in prototype bring-up, debugging, qualification, and root-cause analysis.
• Interface with PCB fabricators, assembly vendors, and component suppliers to resolve design and manufacturing issues.
• Support NPI (New Product Introduction) and product lifecycle management activities.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Physics, Optics, or related technical discipline.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of PCB layout experience in optical transceiver products.
• Experience with optical module design including QSFP28, QSFP-DD, OSFP, CFP, or coherent optical modules.
• Proven experience designing multilayer PCBs with high-speed serial interfaces.

Technical Skills

• Expert knowledge of PCB layout tools such as:
  • Cadence Allegro
  • Altium Designer
  • Mentor Xpedition
• Strong understanding of:
  • Signal Integrity (SI)
  • Power Integrity (PI)
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
  • High-speed digital design
• Experience routing:
  • PCIe Gen4/Gen5/Gen6
  • Ethernet 100G/200G/400G/800G
  • PAM4 SerDes technologies
• Understanding of:
  • Optical subassemblies
  • DSP architectures
  • Laser drivers
  • TIAs
  • Optical packaging technologies
  • Power Modules
• Familiarity with:
  • Mechanical integration constraints
  • Manufacturing processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with 400G, 800G, and 1.6T optical transceiver technologies.
• Experience supporting AI/ML infrastructure or hyperscale data center products.
• Knowledge of co-packaged optics (CPO) and linear pluggable optics (LPO).
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and module assembly suppliers.

Salary Range

$138,000 - $160,000

The salary offered will depend on several factors, including your location, level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience, and comparison to other employees already in this role. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation, such as participation in bonus and equity award programs.

EEO Statement

Supermicro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of Supermicro to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.