Senior Optical Communications Engineer in London

About OLIXAI 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.

Health & Wellbeing:

• Premium Healthcare: Comprehensive BUPA medical and dental cover, including Medical History Disregarded (MHD), for complete peace of mind.
• Time Off: 25 days of annual leave, plus all UK bank holidays.

The Workspace & Tech:

• Elite Hardware: M4 Macs come as standard, with M4 Pro upgrades for our engineering team. We will provide whatever you need to do your best work.
• Optimal Environment: High-spec noise-cancelling headphones and a fully ergonomic workstation designed for deep focus.
• Rapid Prototyping: Access to our high-performance 3D printing lab for work, experimentation, and personal creative projects.

Life at the Office:

• Chef-prepared meals: if you need to work late.
• Caffeine on Us: We’ve got you covered with a tab at our favourite local coffee shop.

Relocation & Global Mobility:

• Visa Sponsorship: We hire the best in the world. We offer full UK and international visa sponsorship.
• Seamless Relocation: Whether you’re moving across the country or across the globe, our dedicated relocation partner provides funding and concierge support to get you settled.

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.