Talent Acquisition Specialist

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical and HFC networking products — the building blocks that power AI datacenters, CATV broadband, telecom, and fiber access networks around the world. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, AOI is a vertically integrated company that designs and manufactures everything from semiconductor laser chips to finished optical transceivers, serving tier-one customers across cloud computing, broadband, and telecom. With R&D operations in Atlanta, GA and global manufacturing presence in Taiwan and China, AOI is publicly traded on the Nasdaq (AAOI) and is actively expanding its U.S.-based manufacturing operations in Sugar Land to meet accelerating demand in the AI datacenter market.

The Talent Acquisition Specialist supports the organization’s recruiting activities by serving as an initial point of contact for job applicants and coordinating the interview process. The primary responsibilities of this position include reviewing applications, conducting initial candidate screenings, assessing basic qualifications and interest, and scheduling interviews with hiring managers and interview teams.

This role is ideal for an organized, responsive, and people-oriented professional who can manage a high volume of candidates while providing a positive candidate experience. The Talent Acquisition Specialist works closely with recruiters, hiring managers, and HR team members to ensure candidates move efficiently through the recruitment process.

• Review resumes and applications to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for open positions.
• Conduct initial phone or virtual screenings with prospective candidates.
• Assess candidates' relevant experience, skills, qualifications, work authorization, availability, compensation expectations, shift preferences, and general interest in the position.
• Provide candidates with an overview of the position, work environment, schedule, and hiring process.
• Identify qualified candidates and advance them to the appropriate recruiter or hiring manager for further consideration.
• Document screening results and candidate disposition accurately and consistently in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
• Maintain timely communication with candidates regarding next steps in the recruiting process.

• Coordinate and schedule interviews between candidates, recruiters, hiring managers, and interview panel members.
• Manage interview calendars and coordinate availability across multiple departments and interviewers.
• Send interview confirmations, directions, instructions, and other relevant information to candidates.
• Coordinate onsite, virtual, individual, panel, and group interviews as needed.
• Follow up with hiring managers and interviewers to obtain timely interview feedback.
• Reschedule interviews and resolve scheduling conflicts promptly.
• Maintain accurate interview schedules and ensure all parties are informed of changes.

• Support recruiters with high-volume recruiting activities and candidate pipeline management.
• Assist with job postings and candidate sourcing as needed.
• Monitor candidate pipelines and identify candidates requiring follow-up or additional action.
• Maintain accurate and current candidate records in the ATS.
• Assist with candidate communications, including interview invitations, follow-ups, status updates, and disposition communications.
• Support recruiting events, job fairs, hiring events, and group interview sessions as needed.
• Coordinate with HR and recruiting team members to ensure candidates transition smoothly through each stage of the hiring process.
• Assist with offer and pre-employment activities as assigned.
• Prepare basic recruiting reports and track metrics such as screening volume, interviews scheduled, candidate response rates, and recruiting activity.
• Perform other recruiting and HR-related duties as assigned.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Liberal Arts, or a related field.
• 1+ year of experience in recruiting, HR coordination, staffing, customer service, administrative support, or a similar professional environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally with candidates by phone, email, video, and in person.
• Ability to conduct structured candidate screenings and evaluate candidates against established job requirements.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume recruiting environment.
• Strong customer-service orientation and commitment to providing a positive candidate experience.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive candidate and employee information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

• 2–3 years of experience in recruiting, HR coordination, staffing, or a related talent acquisition environment.
• Previous experience conducting candidate phone screens and coordinating interviews.
• Experience supporting high-volume recruiting, manufacturing, or operations hiring.
• Experience using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS); ClearCompany experience is a plus.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, Vietnamese, or Mandarin Chinese.

Location & Work Environment
This is a full-time, on-site position based at AOI’s corporate and advanced manufacturing campus in Sugar Land, Texas. The role is primarily office-based, with occasional visits to operational or cleanroom areas.

Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time, with occasional schedule flexibility required to support recruiting activities or business needs.

In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers:

• Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
• Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year
• Relocation packages available within the United States.

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc (AOI) is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, veteran status, age, disability, marital status, or any other category protected by State or U.S. Federal law. Moreover, we endeavor to treat our employees fairly.

We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.