Principal Field Application Engineer - Optical Connectivity
Semtech · USA - San Jose, CA ·
- Seniority
- Principal
- Category
- Solutions engineering
Location: San Jose, CA
Our Team:
Semtech is a global leader in high-performance analog ICs for high-speed optical and copper interconnect. As AI workloads drive exponential bandwidth growth toward 1.6T infrastructure, interconnect is becoming the major limiting factor in data center scaling, creating an unprecedented market opportunity at the intersection of technical innovation and commercial impact.
Job Summary:
This Principal Field Application Engineer represents a pivotal strategic hire, a technical strategist and commercial catalyst positioned to drive $100M+ in design-win revenue and establish market dominance across hyperscaler data centers. The dual mandate is clear: secure immediate design wins with Semtech's current portfolio of high-speed analog ICs for optical and copper connectivity in AI networks, while simultaneously leading long-term customer co-development initiatives that will define our competitive position in next-generation 1.6T and 3.2T connectivity.
Success requires becoming a trusted technical advisor whom Tier 1 hyperscaler customers welcome into their most confidential labs, not as a vendor, but as an extension of their design teams. You'll leverage consultative discovery to uncover the situational factors, business consequences, and decision criteria that drive customer choices. Your technical credibility will open doors; your strategic approach will close deals. Your voice will directly influence Semtech's product roadmaps, serving as strategic advisor to VPs in sales and product lines, co-creating breakthroughs that establish Semtech as the indispensable partner for the future of data center connectivity.
This role is for someone who thrives where breakthrough technology meets strategic business impact, someone ready to shape the future of an industry being transformed by AI.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Customer Co-Development & Innovation
Drive design wins for Semtech’s portfolio of high-speed drivers, TIAs, copper redrivers, and other products, working closely with engineering teams from key data center customers.
Accelerate customer design-in cycles, proactively removing technical barriers to secure immediate revenue opportunities
Lead co-development initiatives for next-generation technologies (1.6T, 3.2T+) with customer engineering teams, defining the future of data center connectivity
Create joint innovation programs and proof-of-concept projects with Tier 1 hyperscaler providers that establish Semtech as their strategic technology partner
Align Semtech product roadmap with customer technology evolution plans, ensuring our solutions arrive precisely when markets mature
Technical Excellence & Customer Support
Lead technical evaluations and drive technical differentiation in competitive situations
Provide comprehensive pre-sales and post-sales customer support for strategic design-ins
Troubleshoot and debug complex technical issues with a relentless commitment to solving problems
Guide customers on hardware design, PCB layout, signal integrity optimization, firmware integration, and system validation
Support customer qualification processes with equipment manufacturers, network operators, and cloud service providers
Create application notes, white papers, and design guides establishing thought leadership
Cross-Functional Strategic Influence
Influence product management and R&D priorities based on customer insights and market intelligence
Serve as strategic technical advisor to VPs in sales and product lines, bridging the gap between customer needs and product strategy
Partner with engineering teams to ensure customer co-development projects receive appropriate resources and priority
Drive internal alignment across product management, engineering, marketing, sales, and operations
Minimum Qualifications:
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred)
8+ years of proven FAE experience, demonstrating expert-level technical capability and strategic customer engagement
Technical Mastery
Expertise in signal integrity (high-speed principles, modulation schemes, channel modeling, equalization) for 800G, 1.6T, 3.2T applications
Knowledge of optical transceiver architecture, design, validation, and manufacturing
Familiarity with LPO, LRO, and CPO architectures
Experience in high-speed PCB design including layout, impedance control, and signal integrity validation
Proficiency with high-speed test equipment (network analyzers, BER testers, oscilloscopes)
Understanding of IEEE 802.3 and OIF standards
Market & Co-Development Expertise
Understanding of hyperscaler data center architectures, network topologies, and infrastructure evolution
Demonstrated success leading customer co-development projects with significant revenue impact
Established relationships with Tier 1 hyperscaler engineering teams and Bay Area ecosystem partners (highly preferred)
Leadership & Communication Excellence
Exceptional communication across technical and business audiences
Proven ability to influence without formal authority and work autonomously in complex situations
Strong initiative and ownership mentality
Desired Qualifications
Direct experience with high-speed laser/modulator drivers, TIAs, redrivers, and/or DSPs
Active participation in industry standards bodies (IEEE 802.3, OIF) driving 1.6T/3.2T specifications
Prior experience at hyperscaler operators, optical module vendors, or data center equipment manufacturers
The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically included in this description.
All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.
A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is $180,000-$200,000. There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base salary, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education, and experience, as well as job location and the value of other elements of an employee’s total compensation package.
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