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Astera Labs

Optical / Photonics Validation Engineering, Senior Director

Astera Labs · San Jose, California, United States

Posted about 3 months ago · $260,000 to $295,000

or apply directly on Astera Labs's site. We never take the application ourselves.

Is this posting real?

This role has been open
87 days
Astera Labs's roles stay open a median of 87 days
Reposted
No
Salary listed
Yes
43% of Astera Labs's roles list one
Ghost-job risk at Astera Labs
high
160 stale, 8 reposted of 160 open
Hiring momentum
218 roles opened in the last 90 days
↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
Last confirmed on the employer's board
2026-10-29

Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Astera Labs's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Astera Labs.

About this role

The Optical Validation Engineering, Senior Director role at Astera Labs involves leading a team responsible for the validation of near-packaged and co-packaged optics systems. The position requires defining validation strategies, developing test plans, and collaborating with various engineering teams to ensure product performance from prototype to production. Additionally, the role includes mentoring junior engineers and establishing automated testing frameworks for optical and electrical validation.

Our read on this posting3.2out of 5
benefits
1/5
freshness
1/5
career value
4/5
role clarity
5/5
pay transparency
5/5

Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Astera Labs as an employer.

What you need

  • 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 (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB), and statistical validation methods
  • Familiarity with packaging-related optical performance dependencies (thermo-mechanical stress, optical coupling efficiency, etc.)

Nice to have

  • Experience with co-packaged optics, silicon photonics assemblies, and near-packaged optical interfaces
  • Knowledge of industry standards and compliance testing (IEEE 802.3, OIF, or custom CPO protocols)
  • Understanding of reliability qualification (HTOL, TC, mechanical shock/vibration for optical components)
  • Familiarity with system-level validation for networking and hyperscale data center environments

What you get

  • Base salary range is $260,000 to $295,000 depending on experience, level, and business need
  • This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits

Worth weighing

  • No specific information on the company's culture or team dynamics is provided
  • The role involves a high level of responsibility with leadership over a team, which may lead to pressure
  • The focus on optical validation suggests a specialized skill set that may not appeal to all candidates
  • The salary range is provided, but no details on other benefits or work-life balance are mentioned

Summarised from Astera Labs's posting. Read the full original.

Listed by Astera Labs on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-10-29. PitchMeAI is not the employer.

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