Neurophos develops photonic AI inference chips that aim to deliver exaflop-scale performance with drastically lower power consumption than traditional GPUs.
ABOUT NEUROPHOS The demand for new data centers and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck means rethinking the fundamental architecture of inference compute. The industry's current path can't meet the need, so we're taking a different approach. Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference. We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A https://www.neurophos.com/110m-raise led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. Join us and shape the future of computing! POSITION OVERVIEW The optomechanical team is responsible for the physical design and integration of the OPU’s free-space optical path, fiber-coupled subsystems, and photonic packaging. This is the precision mechanical backbone that enables our optical processing engine to operate within the exacting tolerances required for analog compute. The Principal Optomechanical Design Engineer will own the optomechanical architecture from concept through production and will be the recognized expert in precision optical-mechanical design across the company, working closely with optical, photonics, electrical, and systems engineering teams. LOCATION San Jose, CA or Austin, TX. Full-time onsite position. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Define and own the end-to-end opto-mechanical architecture for the OPU, spanning free-space optical paths, fiber-coupled subsystems, and photonic chip packaging. - Lead tolerance analysis (RSS/Monte Carlo) and develop opto-mechanical error budgets for wavefront quality, pointing stability, throughput, and fiber coupling efficiency. - Design precision mechanical assemblies for beam-shaping, collimation, polarization management, and alignment of free-space optical elements. - Develop packaging and integration strategies for single-mode and polarization-maintaining fiber assemblies, including active and passive alignment approaches. - Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) practices to ensure repeatable, cost-effective production of precision optical subsystems. - Own environmental qualification of opto-mechanical assemblies, including vibration, thermal cycling, shock, and long-term stability testing. - Define material selection strategies for opto-mechanical stability — including Invar, titanium, and low-CTE materials — and thermal management approaches. - Develop and maintain CAD models, GD&T drawings, and engineering documentation; partner with vendors and contract manufacturers to qualify precision components. - Act as the company-wide opto-mechanical authority, ensuring mechanical design requirements are treated as P0 across all photonic and optical subsystems. - Represent opto-mechanical design in system reviews, own relevant sections of system requirements documents, and communicate status and risk to technical and executive audiences. QUALIFICATIONS - PhD or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline (PhD preferred). - 10+ years of hands-on opto-mechanical design experience, with a demonstrated track record of taking precision optical systems from concept through volume production. - Deep expertise in free-space optical system design, including beam shaping, collimation, spatial light modulator integration, and interferometric layouts. - Strong background in photonic packaging and fiber optic integration — PM fiber, FAU, and active alignment. - Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks or CREO) and GD&T; experience with optical analysis tools (Zemax/OpticStudio or equivalent) to support tolerance studies. - Solid understanding of material selection for opto-mechanical stability and thermal management; experience with precision flexure mechanisms and kinematic mounts is a strong plus. - Proven ability to influence optical, photonic, and electrical design across disciplines to ensure system-level alignment and mechanical integrity. - Strong communicator, able to convey complex opto-mechanical concepts to both technical and executive audiences. - Prior experience in a fast-moving startup environment is a strong plus. WHAT WE OFFER This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative, brilliant team. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world. BENEFITS Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer: - 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions. - Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery. - 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success. - Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance. - Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don’t.