Role OverviewAstera Labs is seeking a Principal Product Applications Engineer to join our Aries PCIe Retimer team and serve as a critical technical bridge between our customers and engineering organization. As AI infrastructure demands explode, our Aries Smart Retimers are enabling the high-speed, low-latency PCIe connectivity that powers the world's most advanced data centers-and you'll be at the center of that growth.
In this high-impact role, you'll work directly with hyperscalers, OEMs, and system builders to drive successful adoption of our Aries PCIe products. You'll combine deep technical expertise with customer-facing skills to solve complex system-level challenges, create compelling technical documentation, and influence product direction based on real-world customer needs. This is an opportunity to shape how next-generation AI and cloud infrastructure connects and scales.
You'll collaborate cross-functionally with design engineering, validation, sales, and marketing teams while building strong relationships with customers who are defining the future of computing. If you thrive at the intersection of cutting-edge silicon and customer success, this role offers exceptional visibility and impact.
Key ResponsibilitiesCustomer Technical Engagement- Serve as the primary technical resource for customers during pre-sales evaluation and post-sales deployment of Aries PCIe retimers
- Deliver technical presentations, product training, and demonstrations to customer engineering teams
- Build trusted advisor relationships with key accounts and drive product adoption
System-Level Debug & Validation Support- Lead root cause analysis and debugging of complex PCIe signal integrity and protocol issues in customer systems
- Support customer lab bring-up, characterization, and validation activities
- Develop and execute test plans to reproduce and resolve customer-reported issues
Technical Documentation & Enablement- Create application notes, reference designs, and best practices guides for PCIe system implementation
- Develop collateral that accelerates customer time-to-deployment
- Contribute to product documentation including datasheets and user guides
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Partner with product management and engineering to translate customer feedback into product requirements
- Support sales teams with technical expertise during customer engagements
- Represent the voice of the customer in internal roadmap and feature discussions
Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 8+ years of experience in applications engineering, technical support, or system engineering roles
- Strong understanding of PCIe architecture, protocol, and electrical specifications (Gen4/Gen5/Gen6)
- Hands-on experience with lab equipment including oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and BERT tools
- Experience debugging high-speed serial interfaces at both the physical and protocol layers
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex technical concepts
- Develop and modify firmware using C to implement features, optimize performance, and resolve technical issues
- Travel to customer sites worldwide to provide on-site technical support, conduct system integration, and drive issue resolution
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with PCIe retimers, redrivers, or similar connectivity components
- Familiarity with server, storage, or GPU system architectures
- Background in signal integrity analysis and simulation tools
- Scripting proficiency (Python, TCL) for test automation and data analysis
- Prior experience working directly with hyperscale or enterprise data center customers
- Track record of creating high-quality technical documentation and application notes
Salary range is $170,500 to $220,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.
