Intern, Optical Link Architect (System Modeling)
Term: May through August, 2026
Department: Engineering

Please note:

Job Summary
Ayar Labs, the global leader in optical I/O chiplets, is harnessing silicon photonics to revolutionize the scaling of AI compute hardware. Our Link Design and Architecture team is responsible for ensuring the robustness and performance of the optical links that power our technology. We are seeking a highly motivated graduate intern to join our Link Design team and help shape our silicon photonics optical I/O platform.

In this role, you will contribute to the architectural vision by helping to develop advanced models that unify electrical circuits and photonic devices. By capturing signal processing and physical behavior, you will assist in optimizing the performance of Ayar Labs' co-packaged optics (CPO) solution. Furthermore, you will evaluate test data to calibrate these models and drive meaningful design improvements. The projects are tailored to your experience and interests, and you will be mentored by a senior engineer as you work alongside Ayar Labs engineers to help drive the optical I/O revolution.

Essential Functions:
Assist in developing high-fidelity Python and Verilog-A models for photonic and electrical blocks to capture signal processing and physical behavior.

Support rigorous link modeling studies to help evaluate future product solution spaces and define component-level specifications.

Evaluate internal and external test data to calibrate simulation models and improve design accuracy.

Work collaboratively with Photonic and AMS teams to ensure seamless integration across electrical and optical domains.


Basic Qualifications:
Actively pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Optics/Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Strong understanding of high-speed electrical and/or optical links, including signal integrity or transceiver principles.

Strong programming skills and proficiency in Python for scientific computing and data analysis.

Familiarity with behavioral modeling using Verilog-A and mixed-signal simulation methodologies is highly preferred.

The ideal candidate is an independent and highly-motivated student who is able to work collaboratively and independently, and can self-manage time effectively to take projects to completion.

Pay Range: $44.00 to $55.00 / Hour

Recruiters:
Principal applicants only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don’t send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.

About Ayar Labs:
At Ayar Labs we’re about to revolutionize computing by moving data with light. We’re unleashing processing power for artificial intelligence, high performance computing, cloud and telecommunications by removing the bottlenecks created by today’s electrical I/O -- making it possible to continue scaling computing system performance. Ayar Labs is the first to deliver an optical I/O solution that combines in-package optical I/O chiplets and multi-wavelength remote light sources to replace traditional electrical I/O. This silicon photonics-based I/O solution enables chips to communicate with each other from millimeters to kilometers, to deliver orders of magnitude improvements in latency, bandwidth density, and power consumption.

With our strong collaborations with industry leaders and government, our deep ties to MIT and UC Berkeley, and our commitment to hiring the best engineers in photonics and electronics, joining our team gives you the opportunity to collaborate with renowned experts on challenging, paradigm-shifting work.

We are passionate about delivering in-package optical I/O at scale, leveraging the strength of our patent portfolio and our team of leading interdisciplinary experts. We believe that deep cross-collaboration between teams facilitated by honest, open debate is the best way to drive innovation and achieve big wins. Join our team and experience the possibilities.

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.