Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly skilled
System Application Engineer (Optical) to support next-generation AI networking platforms and high-speed optical interconnects. In this role, you will work directly with customers deploying 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers on 51.2T-class and next-generation switches. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in optical transceiver operation, DSP configuration, and AI switch architectures-and thrives at the intersection of applications engineering, customer support, and system integration.
Key Responsibilities- Provide expert technical support for 51.2T and next-generation switch architectures, with a strong focus on 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers
- Serve as the primary customer-facing technical lead, translating customer requirements into system-level solutions
- Debug and resolve complex interoperability issues across AI networking switches, DSPs, and high-speed optical modules
- Lead customer demos, evaluations, and hands-on system bring-up, including switch configuration, link validation, and performance tuning
- Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, ASIC, hardware, software, mechanical, and thermal engineering teams to ensure seamless product integration
- Partner with silicon, EIC, and system teams to support end-to-end bring-up from chip-level to module- and system-level integration
- Engage with external ecosystem partners (foundries, ASIC vendors, module partners) to align on technical capabilities, integration, and performance targets
- Contribute to industry standards bodies (e.g., MSA) and stay current with emerging trends in AI networking, optical interconnects, and switch architectures
- Operate effectively across global teams, driving alignment and execution across multiple geographies
Required Qualifications- Master's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field
- Strong understanding of optical transceivers, including architecture, configuration, and performance characteristics
- Extensive hands-on experience with DSP bring-up, transceiver configuration, and high-speed link debugging
- In-depth familiarity with AI networking switch architectures and Layer 1/Layer 2 configurations
- Experience working with 800G optical modules and 51.2T-class switches (1.6T and next-gen systems strongly preferred)
- Solid understanding of ASIC architectures and system integration; chip-level and EIC-level experience is a strong plus
- Experience interfacing with foundries and understanding semiconductor development and manufacturing flows
- Active or prior involvement in industry standards (e.g., MSA participation) is highly desirable
- Proven ability to work across cross-functional and geographically distributed teams
- Experience building and managing ecosystem partnerships, with the ability to assess and strategically vet partner capabilities
- Previous experience at a leading optical transceiver or networking systems company is highly preferred
- Excellent analytical, communication, and customer-facing skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into actionable insights
- Strong ability to work independently while influencing across complex organizations
- Deep experience engaging with CPO/NPO (Co-Packaged Optics / Near-Package Optics) architectures, including system tradeoffs, optical/electrical integration considerations, and customer-facing technical discussions.
- Background working at the chip level and/or EOC (Embedded Optical Connector / Engine-On-Chip) level-translating device-level constraints into system and platform-level solutions.
- Hands-on experience supporting AI infrastructure deployments, with a focus on scale-up (intra-node/interconnect) and scale-out (cluster/fabric) architectures for high-performance workloads.
- Proven ability to partner with customers and internal teams to map emerging AI workloads to next-generation optical and interconnect technologies, influencing roadmaps and design wins.
Benefits:- Competitive salary and significant equity compensation in a rapidly growing, well-funded startup.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Flexible time off policy.
- Direct impact on groundbreaking technology shaping the future of AI and data centers.
- Opportunity to work with a highly experienced and collaborative team.
- Dynamic and innovative work environment
- Opportunity for rapid career growth
