Optical PLL Research Intern

Mora Taara

. Lay the groundwork for an integrated optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) that locks an external laser for coherent reception in next-generation wireless optical links .

Posted 11/4/2026internshipSunnyvale • California • United StatesEntry Level💰 $7,000 - $10,000 per monthWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and validating integrated optical phase-locked loops (OPLL) for coherent reception, with a strong foundation in analog and RF electronics, circuit design, and control theory. Proficient in hands-on experimentation with lasers and high-speed test equipment, alongside a solid understanding of digital communications and signal processing.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Analog And RF ElectronicsCircuit DesignControl TheoryOptical CommunicationsScientific Python

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Phase-Locked Loop DesignCarrier Phase TrackingFrequency StabilizationNoise AnalysisBandwidth AnalysisDelay AnalysisSignal ProcessingHigh-Speed Circuit DesignComponent MeasurementExperimental Design

Tools & Technologies

LasersModulatorsPhotodetectorsHigh-Speed Test EquipmentScientific Python (NumPy, SciPy, JAX)

Industry Keywords

OpticsPhotonicsDigital CommunicationsFading ChannelsCoherent Detection

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

NumpyPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lay the groundwork for an integrated optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) that locks an external laser for coherent reception in next-generation wireless optical links
Evaluate commercial lasers, modulators, and photodetectors
Measure component characteristics not published by vendors
Design loops that track carrier phase and frequency
Validate loop designs against control theory
Define requirements for the integrated OPLL's laser, electronics, and loop
Extend the physical-layer link simulation and reconcile it with measurements
Design experiments and determine the strongest design based on evidence

Requirements

What you’ll need

Currently pursuing a Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, Communications, or a related field
Strong background in analog and RF electronics and circuit design, including noise, bandwidth, and delay analysis
Hands-on lab experience with lasers, modulators, photodetectors, and high-speed test equipment
Control theory applied on hardware: closing feedback loops and diagnosing oscillation, drift, or loss of lock
Working knowledge of digital communications and signal processing
Availability of at least 6 months, ideally 12 or more
Able to work three days per week in the Sunnyvale office
Preferred: frequency stabilization, tunable sources, phase-locked loops, carrier recovery, or coherent detection
Preferred: photoreceiver, TIA, or high-speed circuit design
Preferred: Scientific Python (NumPy, SciPy, JAX), phase-noise modeling, or cycle-slip statistics
Preferred: optical or RF communications, photonics, or fading channels

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible duration to fit your academic schedule
Direct mentorship from industry-leading engineers in a "moonshot" environment
Opportunity to work on technology that has the potential to change how billions of people access the internet