Intern, Laser Control & Validation Engineering

Intern, Laser Control & Validation Engineering Term: May to August 2027 Please note: * Position location is on-site in San Jose Office * There is no immigration (except F1) or relocation support for this position * Posting expires upon application threshold  Position Description Ayar Labs, the global leader in optical I/O chiplets, is harnessing silicon photonics to revolutionize the scaling of AI compute hardware. Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using 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. Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.  We are seeking a graduate-level intern to support the development, characterization, and laboratory validation of advanced laser and optical control systems. The intern will work closely with a cross-functional engineering team to evaluate control algorithms, characterize electro-optical and thermal system behavior, and validate system performance through laboratory measurements. The role will involve hands-on experimental work with laser and optical hardware, electronic instrumentation, temperature-control systems, and automated test equipment. Responsibilities may include designing and executing characterization experiments, collecting and analyzing measurement data, evaluating static and dynamic system response, validating control algorithms against system requirements, and developing Python-based tools for test automation, data analysis, and visualization. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in control systems, electrical engineering, optics/photonics, or experimental physics and is comfortable connecting theoretical models with real-world laboratory measurements.    Intern Skillset Needed * Strong fundamentals in control systems, including feedback control, PID controllers, system dynamics, stability, and transient response. * Hands-on experience with laboratory testing and characterization, including oscilloscopes, power supplies, DAQs, temperature controllers, and other electronic/optical instrumentation. * Experience with Python and/or MATLAB for data acquisition, analysis, visualization, modeling, and test automation. * Ability to analyze experimental data, identify trends and anomalies, and compare measured performance against models and requirements. * Understanding of lasers, optics/photonics, electro-optical systems, or semiconductor devices is highly desirable. * Familiarity with thermal control/TEC systems, sensors, actuator characterization, noise measurements, and dynamic response measurements is a plus. * Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently execute laboratory experiments. * Good technical documentation and communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.  Education Requirements * Candidate should be actively pursuing or completing a Master's or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related technical field.  NOTE TO RECRUITERS: Principals 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. 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.