The present invention provides an assembly (1) of integrated optical components and methods of producing thereof wherein the assembly (1) of optically linked optical components comprises a motherboard (2) having one or more primary lateral reference features (28) and a sub-assembly (20) comprising an optical component (22) mounted on a daughterboard (24), said sub-assembly (20) having one or more secondary lateral reference features (30). The primary lateral reference features may be optical alignment features. The daughterboard (24) may be mounted on the motherboard (2) such that the optical component (22) may extend into a motherboard recess (18). The lateral alignment of the component (22) with the motherboard (2) is provided by aligning the primary (28) and secondary lateral reference features (30). The daughterboard (24) may further comprise tertiary lateral reference features (42) which in combination with the secondary lateral reference features 30 form a self correcting alignment system.