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

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.

• 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.

• 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