Engineer, Silicon Validation

About the role

Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we use light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models. In this role, you will own the silicon bring-up and validation of our optical chiplets.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial power-on and bring-up of new silicon tape-outs, including boot sequence validation, clock/power domain verification, and initial functionality tests.
• Perform functional and electrical characterization of high-speed SerDes interfaces, photonic control blocks, and mixed-signal blocks.
• Define and execute test plans at both block and chip level.
• Use lab test equipment (BERT, oscilloscope/DCA, OSA, signal generators) to characterize signal integrity, eye diagrams, BER, jitter, and optical performance metrics.
• Develop and maintain Python-based test scripts and automation frameworks for regression and characterization testing.
• Systematically investigate silicon anomalies and failures; collaborate with design and firmware engineers to develop and verify fixes.
• Write clear test plans, validation reports, and sign-off documentation; communicate findings to cross-functional teams.
• Partner with firmware, analog/mixed-signal, digital, and systems engineering teams across the full product development cycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field with 1+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with post-silicon bring-up and validation of high-speed SoC or mixed-signal devices.
• Working knowledge of SerDes PHY operation and characterization, including NRZ and/or PAM-4 signaling.
• Proficiency with lab equipment used for high-speed characterization: BERT, oscilloscopes, signal analyzers.
• Proficiency in Python for test scripting and data analysis.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to work independently in a lab environment.
• Proficiency with version control (Git) and software development environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with photonic device or electro-optic system characterization and validation.
• Familiarity with optical measurement equipment (OSA, optical power meters, lasers).
• Experience with high-speed serial standards: Ethernet (100G+), PCIe, OIF CEI.
• Experience with board-level debug and hardware bring-up using JTAG or I2C/SPI interfaces.

Pay

$135,000 - $160,000