A photonic integrated chip device having a common optical edge interface is provided and specifically a device comprising: a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip comprising: an optical circuit; and an electrical interface configured to receive electrical signals for controlling the optical circuit; and, a common optical interface side of the PIC chip comprising: at least one input configured to receive light into the PIC chip to the optical circuit; and at least one output configured to convey at least one optical signal from the optical circuit out of the PIC chip, the electrical interface located on one or more electrical interface sides of the PIC chip different from the common optical interface side.