Sr. Production Engineer – ML/Inspection

APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS INC; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available within US

Immigration sponsorships (Must be US-?

Health plans

401(k) matching

Generous PTO

Job summary

APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS INC in Sugar Land, TX, seeks a Senior Production Engineer – Machine Learning/Inspection to support new line setups and equipment qualification for mass production.

You will configure, test, and validate automated machinery, lead SAT with vendors, optimize floor layouts, and mentor engineers. Travel up to 10% may be required and overtime may be needed during ramp-up.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or Computer Science.
• 2-5 years in manufacturing, process, or automation engineering.
• Proven SAT execution, process validation, and production readiness.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead new production line setup, configuration, and validation activities for NPI and mass production.
• Own and execute SAT (Site Acceptance Test) with vendors, ensuring all machines meet performance, safety, and reliability standards.
• Design and optimize production floor layouts to improve flow and equipment utilization.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians during commissioning and troubleshooting.
• Support floor layout design and process flow optimization to improve efficiency and safety.
• Perform reports to management on a weekly basis on the progress of projects status.
• Lead root-cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts during ramp-up or yield challenges.
• Support equipment commissioning, maintenance, and calibration activities.
• 5 ~ 10% international travel is expected for supplier visits, equipment qualification, or line setup.
• Overtime may be required during ramp-up or line setup activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Tools

LabVIEW

NVIDIA software environments

PLC programming

Job description

AOI is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, veteran status, age, disability, marital status, or any other category protected by State or U.S. Federal law. Moreover, we endeavor to treat our employees fairly.

We are seeking a Senior Production Engineer – Machine Learning/Inspection to support new production line setups and equipment qualifications to maintain the production line quality. In this role, you will work on configuring, testing, and validating automated machinery and processes to ensure smooth ramp-up and readiness for mass production. The ideal candidate is hands‑on, detail‑oriented, and passionate about combining mechanical design with automation solutions.

Job Duties

Lead new production line setup, configuration, and validation activities for NPI and mass production.

Own and execute SAT (Site Acceptance Test) with vendors, ensuring all machines meet performance, safety, and reliability standards.

Design and optimize production floor layouts to improve flow and equipment utilization

Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians during commissioning and troubleshooting

Support floor layout design and process flow optimization to improve efficiency and safety.

Perform reports to management on a weekly basis on the progress of projects status

Lead root-cause analysis and conitinous improvement efforts during ramp-up or yield challengs

Support equipment commissioning, maintenance, and calibration activities.

5 ~ 10% international travel is expected for supplier visits, equipment qualification, or line setup.

Overtime may be required during ramp-up or line setup activities.

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or Computer Science

2-5 years in manufacturing, process, or automation engineering

Proven track record in SAT execution, process validation, and production readiness

Strong leadership, communication, and cross functional collaboration skills

Preferred:

Bilingual in Chinese (Mandarin) is a plus

Experience with LabVIEW or Nvidia software environments.

Knowledge of PLC programming or industrial automation controls.

Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and process validation concepts (Cpk, GR&R).

Knowledge about transceivers or optical module assembly/testing is a plus

Location

This position will be on‑site based in Sugar Land, Texas.

WHY AOI?

In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers

Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs

Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals

Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year

Relocation package available within US

Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)