Application Engineer – PIC Architecture

OpenLight Photonics Inc.; Santa Clara, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenLight Photonics Inc. in Santa Clara, CA, is seeking an Applications Engineer – PIC Architecture to be the primary technical interface between customers and our internal engineering teams.

You will understand application requirements, provide technical support, and communicate the capabilities of our photonic integrated circuit (PIC) products. You will collaborate with architecture, design, layout, process, test, and operations teams to gather information, resolve inquiries, and support

Qualifications

• 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 interact with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Technical Program Management experience or ability to coordinate across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to 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 test, layout, process, design, and operations teams.

Responsibilities

• 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 datasheets, test reports, test specifications, application notes, and 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.

Skills

Technical communication

Cross-functional coordination

PIC architecture

Technical documentation

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Degree in Physics/Optics/EE/Photonics

Tools

Documentation tools

Job description

The Role

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:

  • Product datasheets

  • 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.

Your Background Includes

• 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.

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.