Abstract: The invention provides a method of generating an alignment feature (200, 300) in an optoelectronic assembly (10, 700) which enables another part, for example an optical fibre (80), external to the assembly to be aligned to a device (40, 400) within the assembly (10, 700) but without needing to be attached to the device (40, 400). The method involves using the device (40, 400) to define a position for its own alignment feature to which the part can register, thereby aligning the part (80) to the device (40, 400). When the device (40) is an emissive device, radiation emitted therefrom is used to delineate a position for the alignment feature. When the device (400) is a detecting device, the feature is defined with assistance of an apparatus (500) whose beam is guided in response to output from the device (400) to delineate a position for the alignment feature.