Optical Systems Engineer (Photonics)

Location: Santa Clara, CA, United States

Salary: $134,390–$201,300 per annum

Company

hirify.global develops semiconductor solutions and photonic interconnect technologies for enterprise, cloud, AI, carrier, and data center infrastructure.

What you will do

• Define fiber interconnect strategy and architecture for server, top-of-rack, and mid-rack switch platforms, including co-packaged optics implementations.
• Architect fiber routing topologies within and between rack enclosures, considering bend radius, fiber slack, cable trays, and cable management.
• Specify optical shuffle panels, fan-out assemblies, breakout cabling, MPO/MTP trunk cables, harnesses, cassettes, and patch panels.
• Evaluate optical connector standards and specify blind-mate optical connector assemblies for front-panel, backplane, sled-based, and modular chassis designs.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers on chassis and rack-level cable routing, organizers, trays, strain relief, and component placement.
• Own optical BOMs for platform programs, including fiber counts, connector types, cable lengths, and spare provisioning ratios.

Requirements

• M.S. in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in optical communications hardware, including at least 5 years focused on data center or high-performance computing interconnects.
• Strong experience designing structured cabling for high-density rack environments, including MPO trunk routing, shuffle designs, and breakout panel integration.
• Deep expertise in fiber-optic connectors, connector grades, end-face geometry, and IEC 61300-3-35 inspection criteria.
• Experience with OTDR, OCDR, and other fiber troubleshooting tools, plus proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent mechanical CAD tools.
• Understanding of single-mode, polarization-maintaining, and bend-insensitive fibers, silicon photonics, CPO/NPO architectures, optical engine integration, and IEEE 802.3 Ethernet optical PMD specifications.

Culture & Benefits

• Employee stock purchase plan with a two-year look-back.
• Family support programs for balancing work and home life.
• Mental and physical health resources.
• Recognition and service awards.
• Access to export-controlled technology may require eligibility under U.S. export control laws and, for some applicants, an export license review.