Principal Calibration Engineer

About Neurophos The demand for new datacenters 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 isn’t about bigger chips or more of them; it means rethinking the fundamental architecture. The industry's current path isn’t going to meet the need, so we took 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 led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. We have also been recognized on the EE Times Silicon 100 list for several consecutive years. Join us and shape the future of computing! Position Overview The calibration team is responsible for ensuring that the Neurophos OPU, an analog photonic compute module integrating silicon photonics, a large-format metasurface spatial light modulator, precision free‑space optics, and high‑speed mixed‑signal electronics, achieves and maintains its compute accuracy targets across prototype and production systems. The Principal Calibration Engineer will own the calibration architecture from the ground up and serve as the recognized calibration expert across the company, working closely with all hardware, firmware, and software teams. Location Austin, TX. Full‑time onsite position. Key Responsibilities Define and own the end‑to‑end calibration architecture for the OPU, spanning the photonic, optical, and mixed‑signal electronic subsystems. Develop system‑level calibration models to evaluate calibration performance, error budgets, and sensitivity to hardware impairments. Characterize, model, and develop compensation strategies for drift and aging mechanisms in silicon photonics and optical subsystems. Define and implement calibration algorithms for the metasurface spatial light modulator and free‑space optical path. Define analog and mixed‑signal calibration requirements for the ASICs, including DAC/ADC calibration, gain and timing correction, and receiver optimization. Define the calibration firmware architecture and work with embedded firmware and software teams to implement and validate calibration algorithms. Define production calibration flows from wafer sort through field initialization, minimizing calibration time while meeting accuracy targets. Act as the company‑wide calibration authority, ensuring calibrability is a P0 design requirement across all subsystems. Represent calibration in design reviews, own calibration sections of system requirements documents, and communicate status and risk to technical and executive audiences. Qualifications PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related discipline. 15+ years of hands‑on experience developing and shipping calibration solutions for complex hardware products spanning optical, photonic, and mixed‑signal electronic subsystems. Demonstrated expertise in silicon photonics characterization and drift compensation, optical system calibration, and mixed‑signal ASIC calibration. Experience developing calibration system models and algorithms, and implementing them in embedded firmware and automated test infrastructure. Proven ability to influence hardware, IC, and firmware design across disciplines to ensure system‑level calibrability. Experience defining calibration flows for new product introduction and volume production. Strong communicator, able to convey complex calibration 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 a game‑changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative and 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Neurophos