Optical Solutions Engineer

Keysight Technologies; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Keysight Technologies in Santa Clara, CA seeks a Solutions Engineer – Optical Solutions to design and deliver end-to-end test and validation solutions. You’ll partner with AI data centers, hyperscalers, and optical vendors to address complex system challenges using Keysight hardware, software, and ecosystem tools.

The role emphasizes customer-facing leadership, cross‑functional collaboration with R&D and product teams, and travel (10–25%, up to 50% for exceptional cases).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; Master's/PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of optical communications experience preferred.
• Deep technical expertise in silicon photonics, high-speed interconnects, and 400G/800G systems.

Responsibilities

• Partner with AI data centers, hyperscalers, and vendors to design customized optical test solutions.
• Bridge between customers, Sales, and Keysight's COE to translate requirements into solutions.
• Architect end-to-end optical test solutions for 400G, 800G, and emerging 1.6T transceivers.
• Lead technical discovery with customers and define optimal solution approaches.
• Build long-term relationships with customer engineering teams throughout deployment and validation.
• Collaborate with Product, R&D, and cross-functional teams for portfolio improvements.
• Stay at the forefront of optical networking tech and AI infrastructure trends.

Skills

Optical networking

Test & measurement

Customer engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Optical modulation analyzers

Network analyzers

Power meters

Job description

Preferred Location: Santa Clara, California (Onsite) | Travel: 10–25%

Location Flexibility: Remote | Travel: 50%

Req: #53320

Overview

Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

The Solutions Engineer – Optical Solutions is a highly visible, customer-facing role at the forefront of next-generation optical networking. You'll partner directly with AI data center operators, optical module vendors, and hyperscalers to solve complex engineering challenges and architect innovative optical test and validation solutions that power the next generation of AI infrastructure. As Keysight continues to expand its optical portfolio, you'll play a pivotal role in connecting customer needs with breakthrough technologies, helping shape how the industry's most advanced optical systems are designed, validated, and brought to market.

This position is ideally based in the Santa Clara, California area to enable close collaboration with customers and local teams. However, for exceptional candidates located elsewhere in the United States, remote work may be considered with the expectation of approximately 50% travel to customer sites and Keysight locations as business needs require.

Responsibilities

As a Solutions Engineer – Optical Solutions, you will serve as a trusted technical advisor, partnering with customers to solve complex optical engineering challenges by designing and delivering end-to-end test and validation solutions that integrate Keysight hardware, software, and ecosystem technologies.

You will:

• Partner with AI data centers, hyperscalers, optical module vendors, and silicon photonics companies to understand complex system-level challenges and develop customized optical test and validation solutions.


• Serve as the technical bridge between customers, Sales, and Keysight's Optical Center of Excellence (COE), helping translate customer requirements into innovative, scalable solutions.


• Architect end-to-end optical test solutions spanning:


• Module validation (400G, 800G, and emerging 1.6T transceivers)


• System-level interoperability, including SerDes, host interfaces, and standards compliance


• Design and integrate complete test solutions using optical modulation analyzers, BERTs, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, automation software, tunable lasers, power meters, and other solutions across Keysight's optical portfolio.


• Lead technical discovery with customers to identify unique application challenges, qualify technical opportunities, and define the optimal solution approach for high-impact engagements.


• Build trusted, long‑term relationships with customer engineering teams by providing deep technical expertise throughout solution design, deployment, and validation.


• Identify opportunities where custom engineering, software, professional services, or ecosystem partnerships are required to address customer‑specific needs.


• Collaborate closely with product management, R&D, and cross‑functional teams to provide customer insights that support the continued expansion and success of Keysight's optical portfolio.


• Stay at the forefront of emerging optical networking technologies, industry standards, and AI infrastructure trends to help customers address next‑generation test and measurement challenges.

Qualifications

We're seeking a recognized technical expert who combines deep optical networking expertise with a passion for solving complex customer challenges. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in optical communications, test and measurement, and customer collaboration, with the ability to translate complex technical requirements into innovative, end‑to‑end solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline; Master's or Ph.D. preferred.


• Typically 10+ years of industry experience developing, testing, or supporting optical communications technologies.


• Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:


• Silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO)


• High-speed optical interconnect technologies, including 112G, 224G, and 448G PAM4


• Optical transceivers and interconnect architectures (400G, 800G, and emerging 1.6T)


• Industry standards, including IEEE 802.3, OIF-CEI, and emerging AI interconnect standards


• Hands‑on experience with optical test and measurement technologies, including products such as:


• Optical modulation analyzers


• Network analyzers


• Optical power meters


• Demonstrated ability to solve complex customer problems by designing and delivering integrated test and validation solutions.


• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with experience collaborating directly with customer engineering teams and cross‑functional technical organizations.


• Willingness to travel as needed to support customer engagements (typically 10–25%; up to approximately 50% for exceptional remote candidates).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting AI data center operators, hyperscalers, optical module vendors, silicon photonics companies, or other leading optical networking organizations.


• Experience developing customized optical test solutions for customer‑specific applications.


• Familiarity with Keysight optical solutions or comparable optical test and measurement platforms.


• Active participation in industry standards organizations or technical conferences (e.g., IEEE, OIF, OFC).

Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.