A method for achieving three-dimensional alignment of a pair of optical components, and apparatus for supporting such method, is initiated by fixing one of the optical components at a selected location on a semiconductor substrate. Subsequently, the other optical component and its associated submount are attached to a pair of coupled motion stages. A reference signal, to which the first optical component has been aligned, is transmitted to the other component and to a detector. That detector is positioned to measure changes in a selected characteristic of the reference signal, such as changes in optical power, as the position of the second optical component and its submount are manipulated. Through the use of a feedback loop, the second component and submount are moved in a pattern until an optimal alignment is converged upon.