Staff Engineer - Digital Design

APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS INC; Duluth, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible health plans

401(k) match

Generous PTO

Relocation package

US immigration sponsorships

Job summary

APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS INC in Duluth, GA is seeking a Staff Engineer – Digital Design to lead the design and development of digital subsystems for next-generation HFC amplifier platforms used in broadband and CATV networks.

The role focuses on architecting digital control systems, embedded processing, telemetry, and system integration within ruggedized outdoor amplifier platforms. Requires deep experience in digital hardware design, mixed-signal systems, and telecom infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in digital hardware design.
• Experience designing mixed-signal systems in telecommunications or networking equipment.
• Strong expertise with microcontrollers, FPGAs, or SoC-based architectures.
• High-speed, multi-layer PCB design, signal integrity, and EMI/EMC mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design digital hardware subsystems for HFC amplifier platforms, including microcontrollers, FPGAs, ADC/DAC interfaces, Ethernet PHYs, and power monitoring circuits.
• Lead digital control strategy for gain alignment, automatic level control (ALC), monitoring, and remote diagnostics.
• Define system architecture integrating digital control, RF signal paths, power supplies, and environmental sensors.
• Develop detailed schematics, guide PCB layout for high-speed and mixed-signal designs, and ensure signal integrity and EMC compliance.
• Define telemetry, remote management, and field-upgrade capabilities for deployed amplifiers.
• Collaborate with RF, analog, firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams.
• Drive design reviews, risk assessments, and technical decision-making across projects.
• Lead lab validation including signal integrity testing, hardware bring-up, compliance testing, and environmental qualification.
• Perform root-cause analysis of complex hardware issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support manufacturing transfer, DFM/DFT considerations, and field issue resolution.

Skills

Digital design

Mixed-signal

FPGA

SoC design

Microcontrollers

Ethernet interfaces

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

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.Staff Engineer - Digital DesignDuluth GAPosted 1 day agoShare**Summary**We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Engineer – Digital Design to lead the design and development of digital subsystems for next-generation HFC (Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial) amplifier platforms used in broadband and CATV networks.This role focuses on architecting digital control systems, embedded processing, telemetry, and system integration within ruggedized outdoor amplifier platforms. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in digital hardware design, mixed-signal systems, and telecommunications infrastructure, with the ability to drive projects from concept through production.**Job Duties*** Architect and design digital hardware subsystems for HFC amplifier platforms, including microcontrollers, FPGAs, ADC/DAC interfaces, Ethernet PHYs, and power monitoring circuits.* Lead digital control strategy for gain alignment, automatic level control (ALC), monitoring, and remote diagnostics.* Define system architecture integrating digital control, RF signal paths, power supplies, and environmental sensors.* Develop detailed schematics, guide PCB layout for high-speed and mixed-signal designs, and ensure signal integrity and EMC compliance.* Define telemetry, remote management, and field-upgrade capabilities for deployed amplifiers.* Collaborate closely with RF, analog, firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams.* Drive design reviews, risk assessments, and technical decision-making across projects.* Lead lab validation efforts including signal integrity testing, hardware bring-up, compliance testing, and environmental qualification.* Perform root-cause analysis of complex hardware/system issues and implement corrective actions.* Support manufacturing transfer, DFM/DFT considerations, and field issue resolution.**Qualifications*** Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.* Minimum 7 years of experience in digital hardware design and product development.* Proven experience designing mixed-signal systems in telecommunications or networking equipment.* Strong expertise with microcontrollers, FPGAs, or SoC-based architectures.* Deep understanding of digital communication interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet, MDIO, etc.).* Experience with high-speed, multi-layer PCB design, signal integrity analysis, and EMI/EMC mitigation techniques.* Demonstrated experience leading projects from concept through production release.* Strong documentation and cross-functional communication skills.* Direct experience with HFC or CATV amplifier platforms. *(Preferred)** Knowledge of DOCSIS-based broadband networks and HFC architectures. *(Preferred)** Altium Designer or similar CAD experience. *(Preferred)** Knowledge of Optical subsystems, SFP+ and QSFP. *(Preferred)** JESD204B/C Understanding *(Preferred)** Experience implementing SNMP or other remote management protocols in telecom infrastructure. *(Preferred)** Familiarity with distributed access architectures (DAA), Remote PHY, or network monitoring systems. *(Preferred)** Experience designing for harsh outdoor environments (thermal, surge, lightning protection). *(Preferred)** Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing and field deployments. *(Preferred)***Technical Leadership Expectations*** Serve as a subject matter expert for digital architecture within amplifier platforms.* Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical standards and best practices.* Influence long-term product roadmap decisions related to smart amplifier technologies.* Drive innovation in digital monitoring, control, and network visibility solutions.**Location** This position will be on-site based in Duluth, GAIn 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)Whenever you're ready to begin, just let me know!