Principal Optical Assembly Engineer (AI Infrastructure)

Location: San Jose, California, United States

Salary: $185,000–$240,000 per year, depending on experience, level, and business need. The role may also be eligible for a discretionary bonus, incentives, and benefits.

Company

hirify.global provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through connectivity solutions integrating CXL, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe, UALink, and the COSMOS software suite.

What you will do

• Develop and optimize optical assembly processes, including active and passive fiber alignment, fiber attach, and epoxy cure.
• Define process flows, work instructions, and quality control plans for optical assembly.
• Build and scale the optical assembly laboratory, including equipment layout, tool qualification, and safety protocols.
• Partner with equipment suppliers to develop and qualify high-volume active alignment, dispensing, and curing systems.
• Qualify optical adhesives and encapsulants for optical, thermal, mechanical, scalability, and reliability requirements.
• Develop yield improvement plans and implement statistical process control methods.

Requirements

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in optical assembly, photonics packaging, or related process development.
• Hands-on experience developing precision assembly processes for photonic or optoelectronic products.
• Experience leading optical assembly platforms from concept through high-volume production.
• Experience with alignment-intensive assembly methods, process qualification, troubleshooting, manufacturing transfer, and repeatable production documentation.
• Strong foundation in yield analysis, reliability characterization, Cpk, and SPC, plus experience working with equipment and materials partners.

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience with active alignment systems for photonic or optical device assembly.
• Experience with optical adhesives, encapsulants, material qualification, optical performance verification, failure analysis, and process optimization.
• Experience building high-volume assembly tools, qualifying equipment, and establishing safe operating practices for optical assembly environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Discretionary bonus, incentives, and benefits may be available.
• Applications are encouraged from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.