The disclosed embodiments relate to a system for assembling an optical connector. During the assembly process, the system first fabricates the optical connector, wherein the optical connector is precut and includes a fiber coupler for connecting to an external optical fiber. Next, the system bonds the optical connector to a photonic chip, wherein the photonic chip includes an optical coupler, which is coupled to one or more optical components within the photonic chip. Finally, after the optical connector is bonded to the photonic chip, the system uses a laser to write a coupling waveguide in the optical connector, wherein the coupling waveguide is routed through the optical connector to connect the optical coupler in the photonic chip with the fiber coupler for connecting to the external optical fiber.