Optical Interconnect System Integration and Qualification Engineer

Job Title

Optical Interconnect System Integration and Qualification Engineer

Role Summary

Lead system-level integration, validation, and qualification of next-generation optical and high-speed electrical interconnects for AI scale-out and scale-up platforms. The role spans optics, SerDes, signal and power integrity, firmware, ASICs, boards, and platform bring-up.

Work cross-functionally with architecture, ASIC, SI/PI, firmware, diagnostics, platform engineering, and external vendors to drive qualification readiness, improve link performance, and influence future optical interconnect solutions.

Experience Level

Senior level. The posting recommends 8+ years of relevant experience in optical networking, high-speed data communications, hardware validation, SerDes validation, or system-level interconnect qualification.

Responsibilities

Execute qualification and integration activities from module-level testing through system-level bring-up and production readiness.

• Lead optical transceiver and cable qualification at module and system levels for AMD platforms (400G, 800G, 1.6T targets).
• Create and execute qualification plans for transceivers, DACs, AECs, and related interconnect technologies.
• Perform electrical, optical, protocol, and system-level validation of 100G and 200G per-lane PAM4 links.
• Optimize host-side SerDes: equalization, margining, BER testing, eye analysis, FEC evaluation, and link stability.
• Integrate and validate pluggable optics, onboard optics, and co-packaged optics in platform environments.
• Debug and resolve cross-domain issues involving ASICs, boards, connectors, cables, optical modules, firmware, diagnostics, and software.
• Characterize optical and electrical performance using lab equipment and compliance tools; document results and risk assessments.
• Develop and maintain automation for test execution, data collection, analysis, and reporting (Python-based).
• Drive qualification closure with external optics vendors and influence architecture and optics selection trade-offs.

Requirements

Core technical skills and hands-on lab experience required. Education requirements are listed separately under "Education Requirements."

• Must-have: Hands-on experience with 100G and 200G per-lane PAM4 transceivers and high-speed interconnect validation.
• Experience with 400G, 800G and exposure to 1.6T optical technologies and form-factors (QSFP-DD, QSFP112, OSFP).
• Proven SerDes expertise: TX/RX equalization, eye diagrams, jitter analysis, BER testing, FEC, link training, and margin characterization.
• Familiarity with module management/specifications and diagnostics (CMIS, MSA standards, I2C management interfaces, memory maps, state machines).
• Hands-on use of lab equipment: DCA-X, BERTs, real-time oscilloscopes, optical spectrum analyzers, optical power meters, VNA/TDR; compliance test experience.
• Strong signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) fundamentals and experience collaborating with SI/PI teams.
• Proven track record of system bring-up, cross-functional debug, and working with ASIC, firmware, software, optics, and platform teams.
• Python skills for automation, data analysis, visualization, and reporting.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with silicon photonics, co-packaged optics, onboard optics, near-package optics, external-laser-source architectures, and vendor/ecosystem collaboration.

Education Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related technical discipline. Ph.D. or equivalent industry experience is a plus. Equivalent practical experience is acceptable as noted.

About the Company

Company: Advanced Micro Devices

Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, USA

Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, is a global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures microprocessors, graphics processors, and related technologies for a variety of computing devices. Known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, AMD's mission is to deliver high-performance computing solutions for AI, data centers, gaming, and embedded applications. They foster a collaborative, inclusive culture focused on creativity and problem-solving, aiming to drive progress and excellence in technology.