Eliyan is building NuLink, a proprietary die-to-die chiplet interconnect fabric purpose-built for AI infrastructure at hyperscale. As we extend NuLink into optical domains, we are seeking a Chief Optical Engineer — an agile, deeply technical optical expert who bridges real-world photonic behavior and production-grade electrical IC design. This is a dual-facing role. Internally, you will translate optical system realities into concrete EIC architecture direction, ensuring our silicon is robust, manufacturable, and field-deployable — not just spec-compliant. Externally, you will serve as Eliyan's optical authority in customer and partner engagements, reinforcing our technical credibility and participating in optical standards activities directly relevant to Eliyan's roadmap. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Optical → Electrical IC Architecture * Define EIC architecture requirements for VCSEL, uLED, and Silicon Photonics engines * Inject field realities — aging, thermal drift, yield, packaging, and test — into silicon decisions * Ensure EICs are robust, manufacturable, and scalable, not just specification-compliant Production & Field Reality * Identify and flag fragile architectures before tapeout * Guide calibration strategy, observability, test hooks, and failure containment * Define what "production-ready" means for each optical technology Eliyan pursues Customer & Partner Engagement * Represent Eliyan as a technically credible optical systems company in external engagements * Lead deep technical discussions with customers, module vendors, and optical ecosystem partners * Ensure Eliyan's optical communications are precise, grounded, and authoritative Optical Strategy & Roadmap * Stay current on optical networking directions in AI datacenter infrastructure * Provide clear-eyed tradeoffs across VCSEL, uLED, and SiPho approaches * Advise where specialization is required versus where EIC architectures can be generalized * Identify and eliminate hype early; prioritize deployable, production-viable solutions * Track and engage in optical standards activities directly relevant to Eliyan's technology MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS * Deep expertise in optical systems engineering — VCSEL, uLED, and/or Silicon Photonics * Hands-on experience translating optical behavior into electrical IC and EIC architecture requirements * Track record of shipping production optical systems, with first-hand knowledge of field realities including aging, thermal, yield, and packaging effects * Experience leading technical engagements with customers, partners, or standards bodies as an optical authority * Ability to work across disciplines — engaging credibly with silicon architects, EIC designers, and systems engineers * Strong judgment on tradeoffs; comfort challenging fragile architectures and cutting through industry hype PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS * Experience with optical interconnects for AI infrastructure or high-speed datacenter scale-up networks * Familiarity with die-to-die, chiplet, or co-packaged optics architectures * Participation in optical or photonic standards bodies (IEEE, OIF, CXL Consortium, or equivalent) * MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Applied Physics, or a related field