Senior Free-Space Optics Engineer — Test & Modeling

Ayar Labs; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 192,000; Full time

Job summary

Ayar Labs seeks an Optical Engineer to lead optical test, characterization, and modeling for free-space optical systems in next-generation modules. This hands-on, lab-centric role owns measurement strategy while driving modeling to predict, interpret, and correlate system performance.

You will bridge design and production, define specs, and work with design, laser, and packaging teams to ensure scalable, manufacturable optical solutions for high-volume AI data applications.

Qualifications

• BS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 2+ years of optical testing, modeling, and system validation.
• Hands-on experience with free-space optical alignment and fiber coupling.
• Proficient in optical measurement techniques (IL, RL, beam profiling, polarization).
• Strong modeling tool experience and correlating simulations with experiments.

Responsibilities

• Develop optical test and characterization frameworks for free-space subsystems.
• Develop and own optical models to predict coupling efficiency, losses, and tolerances.
• Guide design decisions and test plans based on measurement results.
• Perform deep optical characterization and root-cause analysis.
• Partner with design/laser/packaging teams to feed test insights into architectures.
• Drive DFM/DFT and yield optimization for optical systems.

Skills

Optical testing

Free-space optics

Optical modeling

Fiber coupling

Measurement techniques

Zemax

Code V

Lumerical

Beam profiling

Test automation

System validation

Education

BS in Optical Engineering or Physics

Tools

Zemax

Code V

Lumerical

Job description

Ayar Labs seeks an Optical Engineer to lead optical test, characterization, and modeling for free-space optical systems in next-generation modules. This hands-on, lab-centric role owns measurement strategy while driving modeling to predict, interpret, and correlate system performance.

You will bridge design and production, define specs, and work with design, laser, and packaging teams to ensure scalable, manufacturable optical solutions for high-volume AI data applications.