Etched
AI inference system
OpticalSystemsEngineer
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“Optical Systems Engineer at Etched. Skills: Optical interconnect, System design, AI servers. Own definition and implementation of optical interconnect architecture. Lead optical link architecture and system design”
What You'll Achieve.
Deliver over 10x higher performance; Dramatically lower cost and latency; Build products that would be impossible with GPUs; Scale our manufacturing capabilities; Ensure our products meet requirements
Industry & Context.
Root-cause debugging
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
5–10 years of experience in optical interconnect, transceiver, or photonic system design and development for high-density compute systems, Expertise across advanced optical interconnect architectures, including Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), Near-Packaged Optics (NPO), Optical Compute Interconnect (OCI), Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO), and emerging form factors (XPO), Clear understanding of architectural tradeoffs across these technologies: energy-per-bit, bandwidth density, reach, latency, serviceability, and reliability, fundamentals in optical link engineering, including link-budget analysis, IL/RL, OSNR, eye diagrams, jitter, BER, and FEC margining, Working knowledge of laser sources, modulators, TIAs, and DSPs/retimers, Knowledge of high-speed host interfaces such as 100G/200G-per-lane PAM4, Experience with traditional pluggable solutions (OSFP, QSFP-DD), Deep familiarity with photonic-electronic co-design and advanced packaging methods, such as fiber-attach (edge couplers, grating couplers, V-groove FAUs, detachable optical connectors), optical interposers, and 2. 5D/3D heterogeneous integration, Comfort co-designing optical engines alongside the ASIC, substrate, package, and cold-plate-integrated liquid cooling solutions, Conversant in relevant industry standards and MSAs (OCI, Open CPX, OIF, UCIe), Proven track record of bringing up optical links and PIC-based subsystems alongside silicon, including root-cause debugging with PIC foundries, ELS vendors, and OSATs, Deep understanding of datacenter infrastructure, specifically high-power (>10 kW) liquid-cooled AI servers and cluster-scale optical fabrics
What You'll Do.
Own definition and implementation of optical interconnect architecture
Lead optical link architecture and system design
Evaluate and integrate interconnect technologies
Drive prototypes through definition
Partner with engineering teams
Engage suppliers on specifications
Capture multi-rack interconnect requirements
Bring up optical interfaces
Define optical bring-up strategies
Support test development
Own optics-related documentation
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Partner with Signal Integrity, PCB, ASIC, Thermal, and Mechanical Engineering teams; Engage optical module, laser, and PIC suppliers; Contribute to both engineering and research
Full Job Description
About Etched Etched is building the world’s first AI inference system purpose-built for transformers - delivering over 10x higher performance and dramatically lower cost and latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep & parallel chain-of-thought reasoning agents. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history. Job Summary Etched is looking for an exceptional Optical Systems Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will own the definition and implementation of the optical interconnect architecture for our next-generation accelerator systems and help us scale our manufacturing capabilities. Key Responsibilities - Lead optical link architecture and system design for Etched's accelerator systems - Evaluate and integrate next-generation interconnect technologies (such as NPO, CPO, and OCI) into our product roadmap - Drive prototypes through definition, validation, and the transition to volume production - Partner with Signal Integrity, PCB, ASIC, Thermal, and Mechanical Engineering teams to implement electrical-optical interfaces in high-performance AI servers - Engage optical module, laser, and PIC suppliers on specifications, qualification, and integration - Capture multi-rack interconnect requirements including topology, reach, connectors, and fiber management to ensure our products meet them - Bring up optical interfaces on the accelerator card and debug link issues using BERTs, sampling scopes, and OSAs - Define optical bring-up strategies and equipment while supporting test development for high-volume manufacturing - Own optics-related documentation, including AVLs, fiber/cable BOMs, serviceability guidelines, and assembly procedures You may be a good fit if you have (Must-have qualifications) - 5–10 years of experience
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