What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intern, Photonics Design position at Ayar Labs?
Term: May through August, 2026
Department: Engineering
Please Note
As a photonics intern, you will push the envelope of bandwidth density, energy efficiency, and manufacturability of our silicon photonics optical I/O platform, removing the bottlenecks limiting next-generation AI and advanced compute architectures. You will work in a fast-paced, dynamic startup culture, dedicated to the principle that we will succeed and grow by constantly reinventing ourselves.
Essential Functions
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 Affirmative Action/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.
Department: Engineering
Please Note
- Position location is on-site in San Jose Office
- There is no immigration or relocation support for this position
- Posting expires upon application threshold
As a photonics intern, you will push the envelope of bandwidth density, energy efficiency, and manufacturability of our silicon photonics optical I/O platform, removing the bottlenecks limiting next-generation AI and advanced compute architectures. You will work in a fast-paced, dynamic startup culture, dedicated to the principle that we will succeed and grow by constantly reinventing ourselves.
Essential Functions
- Analyze test data to drive improvements in device performance and product yield
- Build data infrastructure: extend custom code base for layout, test analysis, and automated checking
- Design high-performance integrated photonic components needed for an aggressive optical I/O product roadmap
- Proficiency with Python
- Experience writing well-structured code and developing a code base as part of a team
- Deep understanding of photonic devices: couplers, photodetectors, electro-optic modulators, micro-ring resonators, gratings
- Experience with simulation and design tools for passive and active optical devices (e.g., FDTD, charge transport)
- Experience testing passive and active integrated optical components
- Enthusiasm to learn new things and take on challenging goals
- Experience with statistical analysis of test data, DOE methods
- Familiarity with optical transceiver principles, transmission formats, and industry trends
- Experience with RF systems and measurements
- Great communication skills
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 Affirmative Action/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.
Salary : $44 - $55
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