Principal Optical Engineer - Active Alignment

ABOUT NEUROPHOS

The demand for new data centers and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck means rethinking the fundamental architecture of inference compute. The industry's current path can't meet the need, so we're taking a different approach.

Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference.

We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A https://www.neurophos.com/110m-raise led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others.

Join us and shape the future of computing!

Location: Austin, TX. Full-time onsite position.

Reports To: VP, Optics

FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW

Neurophos seeks a Principal Optical Engineer to own active alignment for our optical processing unit (OPU). You will define how we align and bond fiber arrays, microlens arrays, collimators, metasurfaces, and photonic and detector chips to sub-micron and micro-radian tolerances. You will build the processes and stations to do so and take them from first lab prototypes to volume production with our manufacturing partners. You will work closely with the optical design, optomechanical, metrology, and manufacturing teams and serve as the company’s technical authority on active alignment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ALIGNMENT STRATEGY AND PROCESS

• Own the active-alignment strategy for free-space and fiber-coupled OPU sub-assemblies: degrees of freedom, alignment sequence, datums, and the feedback signal for each step.
• Translate optical tolerance budgets into alignment requirements, capture ranges and pass/fail criteria, working with optical design and optomechanical engineering.
• Develop alignment algorithms: coarse search, gradient and hill-climb optimization, multi-axis merit functions and simultaneous alignment of many channels.
• Develop bonding processes: adhesive selection, bond-line control, UV and thermal cure, cure-shift prediction and pre-compensation, and post-bond stability.

EQUIPMENT AND AUTOMATION

• Specify, build, or source active-alignment stations: hexapods and precision stages, machine vision, power- and image-based feedback, dispense and cure.
• Develop and maintain alignment and station-control software, with data logging for process and yield analysis.
• Qualify stations for accuracy, repeatability, cycle time and throughput.

SUPPLIERS AND PRODUCTION

• Transfer alignment processes to contract manufacturers and component suppliers; write process specifications, work instructions and acceptance criteria.
• Drive yield, cycle time and cost from prototype through low-rate initial production; lead root-cause analysis and corrective action on alignment failures.
• Qualify aligned assemblies through thermal cycling, shock, vibration, and long-term stability testing.
• Mentor engineers and technicians across optics, optomechanics, and manufacturing.

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD or MS in Optics, Physics, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years developing active-alignment processes for photonic or optical assemblies, with at least one process taken into volume production.
• Hands-on experience aligning fibers, fiber arrays, and micro-optics to photonic chips, lenses, or detectors with sub-micron precision.
• Strong understanding of Gaussian beam optics, mode coupling, and alignment tolerances and sensitivities.
• Experience with UV and thermal-cure adhesives, bonding processes, and cure-shift control.
• Experience specifying and using hexapods, precision motion systems, and machine vision.
• Programming skills in Python, C#, or LabVIEW for instrument control, automation, and data analysis.
• Track record of transferring processes to contract manufacturers and suppliers.
• Comfortable using AI tools in your day-to-day engineering work. We are building AI into how we design, align, and test optics.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Commercial active-alignment platforms and their software environments.
• Design of experiments, statistical process control, and yield modeling.
• Wafer-level or panel-level alignment and bonding.

WHAT WE OFFER

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative, brilliant team. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.

BENEFITS

Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer:

• 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.
• Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery.
• 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success.
• Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.
• Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don’t.