Optical / Photonics Validation Engineering, Senior Director

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs’ Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company’s COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company’s custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.

Job Title: Optical Photonics Validation Leader

Overview

We are looking for an Optical Validation Engineering, Senior Director to drive the characterization, validation, and qualification of near-packaged optics (NPO) and co-packaged optics (CPO) systems. In this role, you will define and implement the validation approach that ensures the optical, electrical, and thermal performance of advanced photonic interconnects used in next-generation data center and networking platforms.

You will work at the intersection of silicon photonics, packaging, electrical design, and systems engineering to ensure robust product performance from prototype to production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team that owns the optical validation strategy and roadmap for optical connectivity products.
• Develop and execute comprehensive validation and test plans covering optical coupling, insertion loss, signal integrity, thermal stability, and reliability metrics.
• Define optical test methodologies for complex integrated systems involving photonic, electrical, and mechanical interfaces.
• Collaborate with design, packaging, and system architecture teams to translate product specifications into measurable validation criteria.
• Establish automated test frameworks for high-throughput optical and electrical validation (instrument control, data analysis, and reporting).
• Analyze measurement data to identify performance trends, failure modes, and root causes.
• Lead design-of-experiments (DOE) initiatives to optimize system performance and yield.
• Interface with manufacturing, reliability, and quality teams to ensure seamless transition to volume production and long-term reliability.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices in optical validation and measurement science.

Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or equivalent field.
• 8+ years of experience in optical module testing, photonic component validation, or high-speed interconnect qualification.
• Deep understanding of optical measurements (IL, RL, BER, eye diagrams, mode coupling), optical alignment, and signal characterization.
• Hands-on experience with optical instrumentation (optical spectrum analyzers, BERTs, network analyzers, power meters, interferometers).
• Strong background in data analysis, automation scripting (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB), and statistical validation methods.
• Familiarity with packaging-related optical performance dependencies (thermo-mechanical stress, optical coupling efficiency, etc.).
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a proven ability to align across multidisciplinary hardware teams.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with co-packaged optics, silicon photonics assemblies, and near-packaged optical interfaces.
• Knowledge of industry standards and compliance testing (IEEE 802.3, OIF, or custom CPO protocols).
• Understanding of reliability qualification (HTOL, TC, mechanical shock/vibration for optical components).
• Familiarity with system-level validation for networking and hyperscale data center environments.

Base salary range is $260,000 to $295,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.

We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.