Systems and methods of aligning multicore fiber optic cables are provided. A method for aligning a first multicore fiber (MCF) and a second multicore fiber (MCF), the first MCF and second MCF each comprising a plurality of cores and a marker, the method including: producing a brightness profile for the first and second MCFs; determining rotational orientations of the first and second MCFs from the brightness profile; rotating at least one of the first and second MCFs until each of the plurality of cores of the first MCF and the second MCF are aligned; determining if the markers of the first MCF and second MCF are aligned in view of a region of the brightness profile associated with the markers; and splicing the first MCF and the second MCF together if the cores and marker of the first MCF are aligned with the cores and marker of the second MCF.