Application Engineer – PIC Architecture

OpenLight; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ISO stock options

Insurance support

401k matching

Unlimited vacation

Spot bonuses

Job summary

OpenLight seeks an Application Engineer - PIC Architecture to bridge customers and internal engineering teams. You will gather requirements, provide technical support, and communicate PIC capabilities while helping products adopt in the field.

You will work with architecture, design, layout, process, test, and operations to gather information, document requirements, and support new product introductions. The role blends customer engagement with deep technical work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a technical field (Physics/Optics/EE/Photonics).
• 1–5 years of work experience in a relevant role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for customer and cross-functional collaboration.
• Technical Program Management experience or ability to coordinate across engineering disciplines.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into actionable technical discussions and documentation.
• Experience generating and maintaining datasheets, test reports, specifications and application notes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical interface for customers and internal teams.
• Understand customer requirements and translate to actionable technical discussions.
• Educate customers on product capabilities, performance, and guidelines.
• Coordinate across architecture, design, layout, process, test and operations teams.
• Support product evaluations, reviews, troubleshooting, and engagements.
• Develop and maintain technical docs: datasheets, test reports, specs, application notes, presentations.

Skills

Technical communication

Cross-functional coordination

Photonic integration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Physics/Optics/Electrical Engineering/Photonics

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Application Engineer - PIC Architecture to serve as the primary technical interface between customers and our internal engineering teams. In this role, you will work closely with customers to understand their application requirements, provide technical support, and communicate the capabilities of our Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) products and technologies.

You will collaborate with architecture, design, layout, process, test, and operations teams to gather technical information, resolve customer inquiries, and ensure successful product adoption. Additionally, you will support the Architecture team by creating and maintaining technical documentation, including datasheets, test reports, technical specifications, and application notes.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers, providing timely and effective technical support.
• Understand customer requirements and translate them into actionable technical discussions with internal engineering teams.
• Educate customers on product capabilities, performance characteristics, design considerations, and application guidelines.
• Coordinate across architecture, design, layout, process integration, test, and operations teams to gather technical information and communicate solutions to customers.
• Support product evaluations, technical reviews, troubleshooting activities, and customer engagements.
• Develop, maintain, and update technical documentation, including:
• Test reports
• Test specifications
• Application notes
• Technical presentations
• Track customer requests, technical issues, and project timelines to ensure successful execution and customer satisfaction.
• Support new product introductions by providing technical feedback from customer engagements and market requirements.
• Assist the Architecture team in defining and documenting product features, performance metrics, and application requirements.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related technical field.
• 1-5 years of work experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Technical Program Management experience or demonstrated ability to coordinate activities across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to quickly understand customer requirements and communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience generating and maintaining technical documentation such as datasheets, test reports, specifications, and application notes.
• Proven ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including test, layout, process, design, and operations organizations.

About OpenLight

OpenLight is growing as customer adoption and industry momentum continue to accelerate. The rapid growth of AI and cloud infrastructure is driving unprecedented demand for faster, more energy-efficient optical connectivity. We are addressing this challenge through a platform approach that simplifies the development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and accelerates industry adoption.

As part of our team, you will contribute to technologies that enable AI and hyperscale data centers, high-speed optical communications, advanced sensing applications, next-generation photonic integration, and more. Our team is collaborative and fast-moving, and you will have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions across technology, operations, and business growth.

OpenLight continues with a hybrid schedule, with a standard of three days/week in office; you select the days you're in, based on what's best for your work priorities.

OpenLight's salary for technical roles is dependent on the skills and experience of the individual, their primary work location, and other parameters; annual salary will generally be somewhere between $170,000-$230,000. In addition to cash compensation, OpenLight offers incentive stock options (ISOs), generous insurance support, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, spot bonuses, and a positive work environment. If you are excited about solving challenging problems, advancing cutting-edge technology, and working with a highly collaborative team, we would love to hear from you.