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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Application Engineer - **Company:** Vital Chemicals USA LLC - **Location:** Cupertino, CA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Data Centers, Software Debugging, Firmware, Interoperability, Signal Integrity, Test Execution Engine, Test Scripts - **Published:** August 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ef4e0d84da677cda ## About the Role * 5-10 years of experience in optical networking, data center optics, high-speed links, transceivers, or related test/validation/field application engineering. * Strong understanding of high-speed optics/transceiver systems and standards, including concepts such as link budgets, BER, signal integrity, and optical/electrical performance metrics. * Hands-on experience with lab equipment and testing workflows relevant to transceiver evaluation. * Ability to write clear technical documentation and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. * Comfort working in cross-functional settings with Sales and product/engineering teams. Preferred qualifications * PhD (EE/Photonics/Optical Engineering or equivalent). * Experience specifically with pluggable optics and/or coherent and/or PAM4-based transceiver ecosystems. * Experience with interoperability testing processes and working with hyperscale evaluation/qualification workflows. * Familiarity with common test/measurement tooling for optical/electrical link characterization. * Experience troubleshooting production issues and driving root-cause analysis with engineering teams. ## Description Join our high-speed optical transceiver business to help hyperscale customers evaluate, test, and deploy our products for AI data center applications. You'll be the technical front line-working closely with Sales and the Product Director to diagnose issues, run/coordinate interoperability testing, translate customer requirements into actionable engineering feedback, and ensure successful evaluation-to-pilot-to-deployment outcomes. Key responsibilities * Establish and maintain suitable evaluation and test capabilities in Bay Area office to support product evaluation and customer demonstrations * Support customer optical transceiver evaluations with hands-on technical assistance (bring-up, configuration, verification, and troubleshooting). * Plan and execute interoperability and acceptance test activities (as defined by customer and internal test plans). * Coordinate lab work and testing logistics with internal engineering teams (hardware/firmware/systems/test). * Analyze and debug link performance issues (e.g., BER/eye/constellation, signal integrity, thermal/power behavior, error patterns). * Prepare technical documentation for customers and internal teams: test reports, procedures, troubleshooting notes, and results summaries. * Support pre-sales and post-sales technical engagements alongside Sales (technical demos, technical Q&A, evaluation support). * Act as a technical translator between customer needs and product/engineering: capture requirements, document gaps, propose mitigations. * Support RF/optical/DSP configuration guidance (where applicable) and ensure customer setup aligns with product operating conditions. * Contribute to continuous improvement of evaluation/test processes and customer success playbooks. * Participate in customer escalations when deeper technical root-cause work is required., What success looks like (first 6-12 months) * You establish complete test and measurement lab environment, coordinated with R&D/product development team * You consistently enable customer evaluations by delivering rapid technical support, correct test execution, and accurate reporting. * You improve evaluation success rates by proactively identifying configuration/test mismatches and gaps early. * You provide high-quality customer feedback that translates into actionable engineering updates or documentation improvements. Working style * High ownership in the lab and in customer engagements. * Structured problem-solving and strong documentation habits. * Collaborative mindset with Sales and Product Director, R&D; comfortable managing multiple evaluations in parallel. Organizational context & interactions * Reports to: Chief Marketing Officer. * Close partners: Product Director, Product Marketing/Technical Marketing, Solution/System/Applications Engineering, Supply Chain/Ops, Finance, and external partners where needed. ## Related Videos - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [The Sustainability Race: AI's Promises, Pitfalls and Potential](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100155-the-sustainability-race-ai-s-promises-pitfalls-and-potential) - [Are Classical Automation Frameworks Dead? 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