Senior Optical Product Engineer (AI Networking)

Location: San Francisco County, California, United States

Salary: $220,000–$260,000 per year

Company

hirify.global is partnering with a well-funded, VC-backed AI networking hardware startup that co-develops customized networking hardware, software, and optics solutions for large-scale AI workloads.

What you will do

• Lead qualification, reliability, and manufacturing readiness for high-speed optical transceivers, fiber optic assemblies, and cable solutions.
• Develop and execute validation plans for long-term optical performance and field reliability.
• Define inspection, cleaning, assembly, and handling processes for optical components across internal and contract manufacturing environments.
• Partner with hardware, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to improve optics integration, deployment, and product quality.
• Evaluate and qualify optics and cable suppliers, including their manufacturing capabilities.
• Investigate failure modes, implement corrective actions, and influence future interconnect technology roadmaps.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in optical product engineering, optical NPI, manufacturing engineering, reliability engineering, or related fields.
• Hands-on experience with high-speed networking optics and cable technologies, including 400G+ optical transceivers and interconnect systems.
• Strong understanding of optical component manufacturing processes, qualification methodologies, and reliability testing.
• Experience developing qualification plans, reliability test strategies, and failure analysis methodologies for optics or cable products.
• Knowledge of optical connector technologies, transceiver architectures, and common optical failure mechanisms.
• Experience working directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers to improve product quality and manufacturing readiness.

Nice to have

• Experience with automated optical inspection systems, BERT testing, and optical validation tools.
• Familiarity with optical manufacturing environments, cleanroom processes, and fiber handling best practices.
• Experience evaluating co-packaged optics, active copper solutions, and advanced optical architectures.
• Knowledge of industry standards and qualification frameworks for high-speed optical networking products.

Culture & Benefits

• Work with a well-funded, VC-backed startup operating under a Joint Development Model.
• Collaborate with hyperscaler-focused hardware, software, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams.
• Contribute to next-generation AI networking infrastructure and long-term interconnect technology strategy.