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Optical Communication Engineer Jobs in California

Aetherflux

FPGA Software Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

About the Role FPGA/RTL Engineer We're looking for an experienced FPGA/RTL engineer to help build ... You'll work closely with our optical communication team to design and own HDL for optical-link ...

Doist

Optical Systems Engineer Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

Strong communication and team leadership skills.* Willingness to travel (~20% of the time).**Education & Experience*** MS or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related technical field**What ...

Lumilens Inc.

Optical Systems Engineer Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Strong communication and team leadership skills. * Willingness to travel (~20% of the time). Education & Experience * MS or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related technical field What We ...

Koch Industries

Optical System Test Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Your Job As an Optical System Test Engineer you'll lead systems engineering and lab management for ... Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience in optical communication systems such as operating and ...

Arista Networks

Senior Optical System Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

Strong familiarity with optical communication principles including NRZ/PAM4 modulation, dispersion ... Master's or Ph.D. degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related ...

Arista Networks

Senior Optical System Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

Strong familiarity with optical communication principles including NRZ/PAM4 modulation, dispersion ... Master's or Ph.D. degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related ...

General Atomics

Engineer VIII

San Diego, CA · On-site

$140K - $252K/yr

... engineer to work in development of space-based optical communication networks ... This individual will support development of space optical communication payloads, systems, and ...

Astera Labs

Optical Test Engineer, Tech Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$185K - $240K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Tech Lead - Optical Test Engineer to contribute ... Knowledge of optical communication standards (IEEE 802.3, OIF-CEI, CMIS). * Familiarity with ...

AEI-CIG

Application Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

You will collaborate with experienced engineers and contribute to critical projects involving advanced optical communication products. Responsibilities: * Provide technical support to customers on ...

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All JobsOptical Communication Engineer JobsOptical Communication Engineer Jobs in California

Optical Communication Engineer information

What does an optical communication engineer do?

An Optical Communication Engineer designs, develops, and maintains systems that transmit information using light, such as fiber optic networks. They work on the hardware and software that enable high-speed data transmission over long distances for telecommunications, internet, and data centers. Their responsibilities often include optimizing network performance, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of optical communication systems. Optical Communication Engineers also stay updated on emerging technologies and standards in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical communication engineer?

To thrive as an Optical Communication Engineer, you need a strong background in optical physics, fiber optics, and signal processing, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB, optical spectrum analyzers, and simulation software, as well as certifications such as Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT), is highly beneficial. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing, implementing, and maintaining high-performance optical communication systems that meet industry standards.

What are some common challenges optical communication engineers face when working on large-scale network deployments?

Optical Communication Engineers often encounter challenges related to signal integrity over long distances, integration of new technologies with legacy systems, and ensuring minimal downtime during upgrades. Coordinating with cross-functional teams—such as network planners, field technicians, and equipment vendors—requires strong communication and project management skills. Additionally, staying updated with the rapid advancements in fiber optics and modulation techniques is essential to design efficient and future-proof solutions.

What is the difference between Optical Communication Engineer vs Optical Network Technician?

AspectOptical Communication EngineerOptical Network Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field; certifications like CCNA, CCNPTechnical diploma or associate degree; certifications like FOA, Cisco certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and optimize optical communication systems; often in labs or office settingsInstall, maintain, and troubleshoot optical networks in the field or data centers
Employer & IndustryTelecom companies, network providers, technology firmsTelecom providers, internet service providers, network installation companies

Optical Communication Engineers focus on designing and improving optical systems, requiring higher-level technical skills and certifications. Optical Network Technicians handle installation and maintenance tasks, often working in the field. Both roles are essential in the optical communication industry but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Communication Engineer jobs in California?

For Optical Communication Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Communication Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Communication Engineer jobs in California are:

Optical Communication Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Communication Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution.

FPGA Software Engineer

Aetherflux

San Carlos, CA • On-site

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities-from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we're unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We're moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role
FPGA/RTL Engineer
We're looking for an experienced FPGA/RTL engineer to help build our state-of-the-art optical communication system - the hard-real-time logic that connects optical communication terminals to embedded computers. You'll work closely with our
optical communication team to design and own HDL for optical-link interfaces and high-speed data pipelines for in-orbit and ground communications. This is active development on a live flight program with near-term launch milestones: you'll join a small team, take full ownership of workstreams from day one, and see your designs fly.
Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and verify HDL/RTL in SystemVerilog/Verilog for the FPGA subsystems of our state-of-the-art optical communication system, from architecture through on-orbit operation
  • Partner directly with the optical communication team to design and implement FPGA logic for free-space optical communication links, including modem interfacing, framing/synchronization, and high-throughput data pipelines
  • Develop high-throughput communication pipelines for moving compute and optical-link data from orbit to the ground, including high-speed Ethernet (10/25/40/100GbE) MAC/PCS logic, SERDES/transceiver configuration, and link-layer framing within the FPGA fabric
  • Build memory-mapped register interfaces (AXI) between FPGA logic and onboard flight software, and define the hardware/software contract with flight software engineers
  • Own timing closure, synthesis, and implementation across Zynq UltraScale+ and Versal targets using Vivado and related toolchains
  • Develop testbenches and simulation environments to verify designs before hardware, and validate on the bench with logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers
  • Lead board bring-up and hardware integration for new payload avionics, working closely with electrical and embedded software engineers
  • Investigate anomalies spanning the optical-link-to-ground and software chain, perform root cause analysis, and drive fixes across hardware/firmware/software boundaries
  • Document designs and interfaces, and pair with teammates to spread ownership of the FPGA function across the team

Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience in FPGA/HDL design, including architecture, verification, synthesis, and timing closure
  • Proficiency in SystemVerilog or Verilog for production FPGA development
  • Hands-on experience with Xilinx/AMD FPGA platforms (e.g., Zynq, Zynq UltraScale+) and toolchains (Vivado, Vitis)
  • Experience designing high-speed digital interfaces and DDR/DMA-based datapaths
  • Experience integrating FPGA logic with embedded software, including memory-mapped register interfaces and driver-level debugging
  • Experience developing FPGA platforms for multi-gigabit data pipelines, including integrating forward error correction and other stabilization techniques - optical communication or high-speed Ethernet experience strongly preferred
  • Hands-on hardware bring-up and lab debugging experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and embedded debug tools
  • Demonstrated ability to own open-ended design problems independently and carry them from architecture through hardware and on-orbit operation

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline
  • Experience in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or other high-reliability development
  • Experience with free-space or fiber optical communication systems - optical communication terminals, coherent/direct-detection modems, or high-speed optical transceivers
  • Experience implementing Ethernet or other high-speed serial protocol layers (MAC/PCS/PMA) directly in FPGA fabric - a big plus
  • Understanding of network topology and architecture (routing, switching, protocol stacks) - a bonus
  • Familiarity with Versal ACAP architecture and Quartus toolflows
  • Experience with simulation and verification tools such as Questa/ModelSim, Xcelium, or Verilator, and with UVM or other structured verification methodologies
  • Proficiency with C/C++, Python, and TCL for bring-up, test automation, and tooling
  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing and automated regression of FPGA designs
  • Familiarity with fault-tolerant design and radiation effects mitigation (SEU scrubbing, TMR, configuration memory integrity) for space applications
  • Experience thriving in fast-paced, high-ownership environments with rapid iteration cycles
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
  • Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
  • Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • Paid time off
  • 10 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Paid parental leave
  • Relocation assistance if applicable
  • Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements
  • Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.'s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.

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