Jobs at Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

Lead advanced electron microscopy and FIB sample preparation for semiconductor laser failure analysis, defect characterization, process troubleshooting, yield improvement, and reliability investigations. Correlate microscopy findings with semiconductor materials, fabrication processes, device performance, and manufacturing data. Oversee laboratory operations, develop procedures, train technical staff, collaborate with engineering and R&D teams, and communicate root-cause findings and recommendations.

Conducts qualification and reliability testing for optical transceivers and components. Investigates mechanical, physical, chemical, environmental, manufacturing, and electrical failure mechanisms; performs root-cause and failure analysis using analytical techniques. Prepares GR-468-compliant reliability reports, supports production and field-return debugging, improves product quality and yield, and coordinates complex test projects with cross-functional teams.

Coordinates high-volume recruiting activities, including interview scheduling, candidate communications, logistics, pipeline tracking, job postings, interview materials, and recruiting records. Supports recruiters, hiring managers, and HR leadership while completing general HR administrative tasks and maintaining a positive candidate experience. This is a full-time, on-site role with occasional visits to operational or cleanroom areas.

Leads a team of automation engineers supporting semiconductor fabrication and transceiver assembly. Oversees design, deployment, and maintenance of equipment automation, MES interfaces, factory systems, SECS/GEM interfaces, and data collection solutions. Drives productivity, quality, capacity, and cost improvements; manages projects, metrics, vendors, equipment acceptance, troubleshooting, training, and incident response. The role is on-site in a cleanroom environment and requires extended hours when needed.

Leads production qualification and reliability testing for optical transceivers, managing engineers and technicians, defining test strategies, ensuring compliance with industry standards, analyzing failure data, driving root-cause corrective actions, preparing qualification reports, and supporting customer audits and technical reviews.

Build and lead an optical module and device integration engineering team from development through production. Manage staffing and performance, coordinate cross-functional engineering activities, troubleshoot performance, assembly, yield, and reliability issues, and support new product introduction, process transfer, and manufacturing readiness. The role also establishes priorities, tracks improvement initiatives, and communicates technical progress across teams.

Integrates optical devices, electronics, and packaging into optical modules and transceivers. Conducts component evaluation, assembly, characterization, testing, experiments, and data analysis to improve performance, yield, and reliability. Supports issue resolution, new product introduction, production transfer, technical documentation, corrective actions, and process improvements while collaborating with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and reliability teams.

Serves as the primary HR partner for production managers and supervisors, advising on employee relations, performance management, investigations, conflict resolution, and leadership coaching. Leads engagement initiatives, training programs, talent development, and workforce planning while partnering with legal, compliance, and executive teams. Analyzes employee data, supports HR operations, and works across diverse, multilingual manufacturing environments.

Develop and maintain manufacturing data infrastructure, databases, dashboards, and analytical tools integrating fab, equipment, metrology, test, yield, and reliability data. Build Python and JMP workflows, automate reporting and alerts, ensure data traceability and quality, troubleshoot dashboard and data-connection issues, and support SPC, DOE, process capability, reliability, and root-cause analyses. Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, reliability, and IT teams.

Provides onsite first-line IT support for employees through in-person, phone, and ticketing channels. Installs and troubleshoots Windows devices, peripherals, Microsoft 365 applications, user accounts, network connectivity, and VPN access. Deploys equipment for new hires, manages tickets, documents resolutions, escalates complex issues, and maintains knowledge-base content. The role is fully onsite in Sugar Land or Pearland, Texas, with occasional lifting of equipment up to 25 pounds and no travel.

Fabricates compound semiconductor lasers on InP wafers in a cleanroom, maintains production tools, analyzes defects, SPC data, yields, and metrology results, and improves process performance and uptime. The role includes tool calibration, failure analysis, wafer disposition, production documentation, process qualification, vendor coordination, and responding to production issues. Occasional overtime, on-call support, chemical handling, and physically demanding cleanroom work are required.

Supports sourcing projects, supplier selection, RFQs, supplier relationship management, onboarding, qualification, pricing and spend analysis, cost reduction, second-source development, and supply continuity. Coordinates with engineering, manufacturing, operations, and supply chain teams on NPI and supplier readiness activities. Maintains sourcing records, contracts, and reporting tools while monitoring supplier delivery, quality, and service performance.

Develops and maintains Python and LabVIEW automation for production testing of high-speed optical transceivers and components. Integrates optical and electronic test instruments, debugs optical, electrical, and thermal systems, troubleshoots manufacturing failures, and improves yield and reliability. Creates SOPs and training materials, trains operators and technicians, maintains test documentation and revision control, and collaborates with R&D, QA, manufacturing, and IT teams. Requires occasional international travel for deployments and training.

Coordinates inbound and outbound material movements across suppliers, subcontractors, customers, and inventory hubs. Prepares shipping and export documentation, processes purchase order receipts and drop-ship transactions in SAP, monitors inventory movements, resolves delivery issues, maintains proof-of-delivery records, and supports SOX and export compliance.

Designs, deploys, configures, monitors, troubleshoots, and secures LAN/WAN infrastructure across a multi-site manufacturing environment. Manages Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, network performance, access policies, documentation, upgrades, and operational reporting. Collaborates on network optimization and responds to critical facility issues. The role requires technical ownership of network and security systems, project management, and occasional after-hours support.

Fabricate compound semiconductor lasers on InP wafers, maintain and improve wafer processes, analyze SPC and yield data, troubleshoot production tools, qualify new equipment, create production documentation, perform equipment maintenance and calibration, and support wafer disposition and production continuity in a cleanroom environment.

Supports and maintains daily optical module production, improves manufacturing processes, develops qualification SOPs, establishes inspection standards, and reviews vendor specifications. The role also supervises production personnel, manages schedules and approvals, and requires cleanroom work with occasional international travel. Candidates need manufacturing experience, engineering education or LabVIEW expertise, programming knowledge, and strong communication and teamwork skills.

Leads the design, commissioning, optimization, and long-term operation of factory automation systems, including AGVs, OHT, robotics, smart inventory, MES integration, and industrial communications. Establishes architecture, standards, maintenance strategies, and technology roadmaps; manages vendors and automation projects; troubleshoots complex system issues; supports cleanroom layouts, material flow optimization, production events, and factory expansions; and mentors engineering and maintenance personnel. Requires approximately 10–15% international travel.

Operates and maintains MBE systems to manufacture InP laser structures. Performs wafer growth, structural, optical, and electrical characterization; tracks production data, analyzes failures, monitors yield, and leads troubleshooting, calibration, maintenance, and process qualification. Develops procedures, improves process control, coordinates vendor repairs, and collaborates with R&D on new structure designs. The role requires cleanroom work, flexible production shifts, and occasional physical handling of equipment or materials.

Performs reliability testing, qualification, stress testing, accelerated life testing, and maintenance of testing tools for optical laser fabrication. Analyzes test data using statistical methods, identifies failure trends, conducts root cause analysis, implements corrective actions, and collaborates with research, process, and product engineering teams to resolve yield and quality issues. The role operates onsite in a semiconductor manufacturing and cleanroom environment.