Senior Opto-Mechanical 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. OLIX is building this next paradigm; the Optical Tensor Processing Unit (OTPU) achieves performance and energy efficiency that is impossible to match from existing chips.

Role We build hardware where light does the heavy lifting. Our optical interconnect assemblies operate at the edge of what precision manufacturing can hold — and we need an engineer who knows how to design for that reality. You’ll own the mechanical architecture of photonic subassemblies: waveguide coupling structures, precision ferrule systems, laser source packaging, and the thermal-mechanical interfaces that keep everything aligned from assembly through field life. You’ll live in tolerance stacks, CTE budgets, and first-article reviews. When yield drops, you’ll know where to look. This is a hands‑on role that spans CAD to cleanroom, drawing release to supplier corrective action, FEA to thermal cycling failure analysis. You’ll work directly with optical, process, and reliability engineers — and you’ll be expected to hold the full causal chain between a mechanical decision and an optical outcome.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop opto‑mechanical assemblies including waveguide coupling structures, photonic interposers, ferrule/connector systems, and precision alignment fixtures.
• Perform tolerance chain analysis (RSS and worst‑case) for optical alignment budgets, accounting for thermal excursion, assembly variation, and long‑term drift.
• Select and qualify optical‑grade materials (Invar/Kovar, borosilicate glass, low‑CTE adhesives) with consideration for CTE compatibility, outgassing, and process compatibility.
• Lead thermal‑mechanical co‑design of photonic subassemblies, including heatsink design for ASICs and high‑power laser sources.
• Drive DFM/DFA for precision optical assemblies including MIM components, laser‑machined features, and bonded/co‑cured structures.
• Generate and own GD&T drawings and engineering specifications for optical‑grade fabricated parts.
• Collaborate with process engineering, optical design, and reliability teams to define assembly process flows and qualification test plans.
• Support FEA (thermal, structural, modal) for mechanical validation of optical subassemblies.
• Contribute to reliability programs including environmental stress testing (thermal cycling, vibration, shock) in alignment with applicable standards (GR‑468‑CORE, Telcordia GR‑326, IEC 61300).
• Experience with OCP standards and rack design preferred.

Skills and Experience

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or closely related field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing precision opto‑mechanical assemblies for production.
• Demonstrated proficiency in tolerance stack‑up analysis for optical alignment applications.
• Strong working knowledge of photonic component packaging (VCSELs, PICs, fiber arrays, waveguide couplers).
• Experience with thermally constrained mechanical design — CTE mismatch analysis, adhesive joint mechanics, and bonded dissimilar‑material structures.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Creo preferred) with GD&T to ASME Y14.5.
• Familiarity with precision machining, MIM, EDM, laser micromachining, and optical bonding processes.
• Comfort with basic FEA tools for structural and thermal validation.
• Green or Black Belt certification preferred.

Compensation & Equity

• Competitive Salary: £124,000+, 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.