Applications Engineering Manager- Optical (LitePoint; San Jose, CA)

Teradyne•San Jose, CA

13d•$171,900 - $275,000•Onsite

About The Position

LitePoint is seeking an Applications Engineering Manager to lead their photonics test applications effort in San Jose, CA. This role involves growing and managing a team of applications engineers, serving as a senior technical bridge between photonics test products and customers. The manager will be accountable for team delivery, including installation, calibration, troubleshooting, and training, as well as customer relationship management to drive adoption and account growth. The position will collaborate closely with engineering and marketing to guide product development and manage customer design-in activities. The role requires experience in high-speed optical communications test, including optical transceivers, silicon photonics, and optical links, using tools like optical sampling scopes, BERTs, CDRs, optical spectrum analyzers, and optical power meters. This is an opportunity for an experienced applications engineer to transition into a leadership role, leveraging their technical depth while focusing on team development, technical direction, and customer relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred, or equivalent experience).
8+ years in optical R&D, design, testing, or applications engineering, including customer-facing work.
Prior people-management experience, or demonstrated technical leadership (mentor, team lead, project lead) with readiness to formally manage a team.
Strong grasp of photonics testing principles, equipment, and measurement techniques.
Deep understanding of high-speed Ethernet standards (IEEE 802.3bs/cd).
Hands-on experience with optical test instruments: optical sampling scopes, CDR, BERT, optical spectrum analyzer, optical power meter.
Structured troubleshooting from system down to component level.
Proficiency in C/C++, Python, or similar for test automation.
Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop technical staff.
Excellent communication skills, able to represent LitePoint to senior customer stakeholders.
Track record of building lasting customer relationships in a technical environment.
Effective coordination across distributed regional teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, engineers, and customers concurrently.
Willingness to travel to customer sites, regional offices, and company events as needed.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree (or equivalent experience)

Responsibilities

Manage, coach, and develop a team of applications engineers, including goal-setting, performance management, workload balancing, and career growth.
Set technical direction and best practices to ensure consistent, high-quality support across customers.
Act as the escalation point for complex technical and customer situations.
Drive customer design-ins and develop technical messaging for customer updates.
Oversee troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and issue resolution at module and system levels.
Ensure customers are effectively supported through configuration, calibration, and operation of photonics test equipment.
Develop automated test solutions, libraries, and tools for chipset vendors, brand names, ODMs, and CMs.
Partner with engineering and product marketing to drive corrective action and influence product improvements.
Own senior-level customer relationships in the region, ensuring proactive communication, satisfaction, and growth.
Coordinate with regional applications and sales teams on coverage, engagement plans, and priorities.
Direct product demonstrations, training, and technical workshops.
Capture field feedback and channel it for product roadmap development.
Ensure the team maintains strong technical documentation, application notes, and training materials.
Report to leadership on customer interactions, issue trends, resolution metrics, and product feedback.
Represent LitePoint at trade shows, conferences, and industry events.