What are the responsibilities and job description for the Silicon Photonics System Architect – Transmitter & Receiver PICs position at Polaris Electro-Optics, Inc.?
Silicon Photonics System Architect – Transmitter & Receiver PICs
Carlsbad (Greater San Diego), CA | Full-time, On-site | Start Date: Immediate
Company: Polaris Electro-Optics Inc.
About the Role
Polaris Electro-Optics is seeking a System Architect with a deep understanding of optical transceiver architectures and link budgets to define the requirements and specifications for our silicon photonics transmitter and receiver PICs.
You will define the performance targets and interfaces that enable Polaris’ FenGlass™-based PICs to integrate seamlessly into customer 1.6T/3.2T IM-DD and coherent pluggable transceivers (e.g., DR8, 2×FR4, ZR-class).
Your work will directly shape our PIC architectures to ensure compliance with IEEE, OIF, and MSA standards, and compatibility with industry-standard pluggable and co-packaged optics (CPO) platforms.
Responsibilities
- Define system-level requirements and link budgets for Polaris’ transmitter and receiver PICs targeting next-generation optical transceivers.
- Translate customer, MSA, and standards specifications into PIC-level design targets (optical power, ER, bandwidth, linearity, insertion loss, etc.).
- Evaluate and model trade-offs across electrical, optical, and packaging interfaces to ensure interoperability and manufacturability.
- Create and maintain requirement documents, interface control documents (ICDs), and performance verification matrices for internal and customer alignment.
- Collaborate closely with material, device, and packaging teams to ensure requirements are physically realizable and scalable.
- Support future definition of receiver PIC requirements and system co-design for coherent applications.
- Participate in standards tracking (OIF, IEEE 802.3, MSAs) to ensure alignment with emerging industry trends.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or M.S. with 3 years relevant industry experience.
- Deep understanding of optical transceiver architectures, including IM-DD and coherent systems, and link budget derivation.
- Familiarity with IEEE, OIF, and MSA optical standards and how they translate to component-level requirements.
- Strong ability to analyze and define system-to-PIC trade-offs (e.g., driver swing, modulator Vπ, extinction ratio, loss budgets, and bandwidth).
- Eligible to work in the United States.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience writing or maintaining system requirement and interface documents for optical components.
- Familiarity with high-speed analog front-ends (drivers, TIAs, DSPs) and their interaction with PICs.
- Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for modeling and link simulation.
- Working knowledge of coherent optical systems and CPO architectures is a plus.
- Strong interest in defining architectures for next-generation pluggables (e.g., 1.6T DR8, 3.2T 2×FR4, 1.6T ZR).
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $120,000 – $220,000 (commensurate with experience and impact).
- Equity participation.
- Comprehensive health benefits.
- Flexible working hours and dynamic startup environment.
- Rapid career growth potential as a foundational technical leader in silicon photonics.
About Polaris Electro-Optics
Polaris Electro-Optics is redefining optical interconnects through our breakthrough Ferroelectric Nematic Glass (FenGlass™) technology—enabling ultra-fast, low-power silicon photonic modulators that unlock 200 G/lane and beyond.
We’re a Series-A startup backed by leading investors and working with the world’s top datacom and coherent ecosystem players. Join us to define the next generation of optical connectivity.
📩 Send your resume and cover letter to: careers@polariseo.com
Salary : $120,000 - $220,000