Senior Optical Communications Engineer
About OLIX
AI is growing faster than any technology in history and the explosion in demand has created a massive infrastructure gap; we can no longer build chips or power stations fast enough to keep up. The industry is still leaning on a ten-year-old hardware blueprint that has reached its limit. A new paradigm that is faster and more efficient will be the biggest economic opportunity of the next century and create the most important company of the next decade. The OLIX Decode Accelerator 1 (DX-1) is the first accelerator architected specifically for decode. Rack-scale co-design of logic, data movement, packaging, optics and interconnect enables a step change in system level performance.
The Role
OLIX is developing next-generation optical interconnect architectures for AI data centers, spanning chip-to-chip, intra-tray, and rack-scale links. As an Optical Communications Engineer, you will lead the design and optimization of high-speed optical links and co-packaged optics (CPO) systems.This role focuses on system-level architecture, link design, and electro-optic co-design, working across optics, ASICs, and signal processing to deliver ultra-high bandwidth, low-latency interconnects. You will operate at the intersection of modeling, simulation, and experimental validation, translating theoretical performance into real-world systems.
Responsibilities
Optical System Architecture
Define optical interconnect architectures across chip-to-chip, intra-tray, and rack-to-rack domains
Develop scalable link strategies across fiber, waveguides, and PLC-based systems
Own system-level link budgets (loss, BER, bandwidth, power, thermal margins)
Evaluate trade-offs between reach, bandwidth density, power, and latency
Electro-Optic Co-Design
Collaborate with ASIC, RF, DSP, and mixed-signal teams on interface definitions
Co-optimize modulation formats, equalization, and Tx/Rx architectures
Model end-to-end electro-optic channels including devices, packaging, and signal processing
Analyze system trade-offs across optical, electrical, and algorithmic domains
Modeling & Validation
Develop and maintain system-level simulation frameworks
Correlate simulation results with lab measurements
Define validation strategies for Tbps-class links
Analyse signal integrity, noise, crosstalk, and bandwidth performance
Technology Exploration
Evaluate emerging technologies in CPO, integrated photonics, and high-speed optics
Contribute to architectural decisions for next-generation interconnect systems
Skills & Experience
PhD or Master’s in Optics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field
6–10+ years of experience in optical communications (datacom or telecom)
Strong understanding of link budgets, BER, and high-speed transmission systems
Experience with modulation, equalization, and high-bandwidth Tx/Rx architectures
Background in fiber optics, waveguides, and/or integrated photonics
Strong system modeling and simulation experience
Experience working across optics, ASIC, and DSP domains
Experience taking optical communication systems into production
Compensation & Equity
Competitive Salary: £121,000+ commensurate with your experience, skills, and location.
Equity & Ownership: Meaningful stock options. You’re not just joining the mission; you’re owning a piece of it.
Proximity Bonus: We value your time. To minimise your commute and maximise your life, we offer a £24k annual Living-Local Bonus if your residence is within 20 minutes of the office.
Due to U.S. export control regulations, candidates’ eligibility to work at OLIX depends on their most recent citizenship or permanent residency status. We are generally unable to consider applicants whose most recent citizenship or permanent residence is in certain restricted countries (currently including Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Venezuela). Applicants who have subsequently obtained citizenship or permanent residency in another country not subject to these restrictions may still be eligible.
