About the role#
We are looking for a graduate intern to join our System Engineering team. You will build and characterize an advanced free-space optical system used to image photonic integrated circuits. This is a hands-on role that requires a balance of theory, hardware assembly, and software development.
What you'll do#
- Develop computational methods to control and optimize the imaging system.
- Design and implement wavefront control.
- Model beam propagation through the optical train.
- Drive the system to performance targets using numerical optimization.
- Build and align the optical bench.
- Write the software required to control the system.
- Run experiments to characterize system performance.
What you'll need#
- Actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optics, or an equivalent field.
- Strong working knowledge of Fourier optics and beam propagation.
- Ability to model and compute optical fields through multi-element systems.
- Grounding in optical imaging system design, including pupil and image plane relationships, resolution and field of view trade-offs, and aberration theory.
- Hands-on experience with wavefront control, holography, and spatial light modulators or equivalent programmable optical elements.
- Experience building and aligning free-space optical benches, including fiber coupling, camera-based imaging, and polarization optics.
- Proficiency in Python for numerical optimization, instrument control, and test automation.
- Familiarity with Zemax or equivalent optical design software is a plus.
Location & details#
- Location: San Jose, California.
- Term: Summer 2027 (May to August).
- Modality: This position is on-site.
- This is a paid, full-time internship.
- No immigration or relocation support is provided for this role.
About Ayar Labs
Ayar Labs develops optical I/O technology for AI infrastructure. Founded in 2015 and based in San Jose, California, the company employs between 51 and 200 people. Its hardware solutions aim to improve data movement efficiency for AI training and inference. The company operates as a privately held entity within the computer hardware manufacturing sector.
How to get in at Ayar Labs
Securing an internship at Ayar Labs requires a proactive approach to their hiring cycle. Because early applicants are often reviewed before the candidate pool becomes unmanageable, you should use Intern Insider to receive an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published. This ensures you apply among the first. Reaching out to the right people is equally important for your visibility. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles, allowing you to contact them directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. This direct outreach often improves your response rates compared to submitting an application into a general queue.
