Embodiments herein describe an optical system that includes a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) bonded to a package containing an electrical integrated circuit (EIC). However, this bond can prevent an edge coupler from optically aligning an optical fiber to an edge of the PIC in order to transfer optical signals. To provide room for the edge coupler, the PIC is arranged to overhang the package containing the EIC so that the package does not interfere with the ability of the edge coupler to align with the side or edge of the PIC. In this manner, an optical fiber can be optically aligned (e.g., butt coupled) to the edge of the PIC rather than having to use a grating coupler or some other less efficient optical coupling in order to transfer optical signals between the PIC and the optical fiber.