Staff Engineer, System Validation

Ayar Labs, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Ayar Labs, Inc. is hiring for a Validation Engineer to own product validation across silicon photonics and optoelectronic systems in an on-site San Jose setting. You will define test plans, select equipment, and collaborate with Design and Reliability teams to ensure successful mass production.

Strong automation and data skills are essential. Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in test engineering, experience with BERT/DCA/OSA, and a background in high-speed SerDes.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Electrical Engineering or equivalent is required.
• 5+ years of experience with test equipment and signal quality metrics (TDECQ, SRS, URS).
• 5+ years of programming experience for test automation and data analysis (Python, etc.).
• Knowledge of Ethernet, PCIe or similar protocols.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement validation methodologies ensuring component and system-level requirements are met.
• Lead New Product Introduction with Design, Package, and Reliability teams for mass production readiness.
• Drive product bring-up and troubleshoot silicon photonic and laser products.
• Validate performance via electrical and optical characterization of chips and systems.
• Collaborate on design trade-offs and specifications to meet time-to-market goals.
• Develop test software and hardware stations to enable efficient validation.
• Manage project schedules to deliver high-quality products on time.

Skills

Python

Test automation

Data analysis

Electrical testing

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

BERT

DCA

OSA

Job description

Location: San Jose (on-site)

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.

Essential Functions

• Lead Validation Strategy: Define and implement comprehensive validation methodologies that guarantee our products meet both component and system-level product requirements. This includes developing test plans, defining success criteria, and selecting appropriate test equipment and methodologies.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI): Collaborate with Design, Package, and Reliability Engineering to ensure a smooth and successful transition of products from development to mass production.
• Drive Product Bring-up: Collaborate with Design Engineering to bring up cutting-edge silicon photonic and laser products, troubleshooting and resolving any technical issues that arise.
• Validate Component and System Performance: Perform rigorous design validation on new chips and products through electrical and optical characterization of VLSI integrated circuits and optoelectronic systems.
• Make Critical Decisions: Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to drive decisions around design trade-offs and specification adjustments, balancing performance, manufacturability, and time-to-market to ensure products are ready for customer deployment.
• Develop Test Software and Infrastructure: Create and maintain software scripts and test hardware stations required for efficient and comprehensive validation.
• Ensure Timely Delivery: Manage project schedules and execution to meet product timelines and customer demand, while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience with component and system test equipment (BERT, DCA, OSA, etc.) and standard signal quality metrics (TDECQ, SRS, URS).
• 5+ years of experience in programming languages (Python, etc.) for test automation and data analysis.
• Knowledge of communication protocols and standards (Ethernet, PCIe, etc.).
• Able to analyze complex technical problems, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
• Understanding of data analysis, process control, and statistical methods.
• Experience with SoC validation planning, bring-up, debugging, and optimization.
• Experience with high-speed SerDes and their characterization and optimization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years Industry experience in semiconductor lasers, photonics, system test, and validation
• Knowledge of component and system test equipment (BERT, DCA, OSA, etc.) and standard signal quality metrics (TDECQ, SRS, URS).
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, etc.) for test automation and data analysis.
• Knowledge of optical transceiver packaging and integration challenges.

Salary range: $175,000 - $205,000

Ayar Labs is an 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.