Process Quality Assurance Engineer – Module Testing

Summary

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is expanding rapidly in the telecommunication, data center, and AI infrastructure markets. We are seeking a Process QA – Module Testing Engineer to join our Quality team and contribute to quality assurance for optical transceiver module testing processes.

This role focuses on ensuring the stability, capability, and compliance of test stations and test processes across production and validation phases. The engineer will report to a team manager and work closely with cross-functional teams on test automation, data analysis, and process quality improvement initiatives.

New graduates and early-career engineers are welcome to apply.

Job Duties

1. Test Station Quality Assurance

• Participate in QA activities for optical transceiver module test stations, including electrical, optical, and functional test platforms.

• Verify that test stations and test processes meet product specifications, SOPs, and internal quality requirements.

• Perform test station qualification and GR&R activities following defined procedures.

• Support NPI, DVT, and PVT phases through test setup qualification and process validation.

• Monitor test station performance and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

2. Programming & Test Automation

• Develop and maintain Python-based scripts and tools for test execution, data collection, and yield monitoring.

• Use SQL query, manage, and analyze manufacturing and test databases.

• Develop or maintain test applications using LabVIEW (preferred).

• Interface with test equipment using standard communication protocols (e.g., GPIB, USB, Ethernet).

• Experience using Python to communicate with test equipment is a plus.

3. Vendor Equipment & System Integration

• Develop or maintain control programs for vendor test equipment (e.g., BERT, OPM, tunable lasers, optical switches, oscilloscopes, etc..).

• Work with vendors and internal engineering teams to resolve test system issues.

4. Data Analysis & Process Improvement

• Analyze test data to identify yield trends, process variation, and abnormal behaviors.

• Participate in root cause analysis and CAPA activities.

• Contribute to improvements in test efficiency, data integrity, and process robustness.

5. Documentation & Collaboration

• Create and maintain test-related documentation such as specifications, qualification reports, SOPs, and control plans.

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, R&D, and Reliability teams.

• Support audits related to test process quality and data integrity.

• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, TL 9000, and internal quality systems.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or related disciplines, including CS, EE, ME, Optical Engineering, Semiconductor, Materials Science, or Physics or similar.

Required:

• Programming Skills: Python, SQL

• Understanding of test automation and data analysis

• Ability to work in a manufacturing or test environment

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills

New Graduate Friendly:

• New graduates are welcome to apply
• Internship, co-op, academic research, or project experience related to one or more of the following is a plus:
  • Quality engineering
  • Test automation
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Data analysis or programming

Preferred:

• Python Packages: TKinter, Pyserial, Pythonnet, Openpyxl, Sqlalchemy, Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, or other equivlent data visualization tools

• Experience with LabVIEW

• Experience or exposure to manufacturing industry environments

• Knowledge of optical transceiver modules, laser diodes, photonics, or optical communication systems

• Familiarity with test equipment used in manufacturing or validation labs

• Experience or exposure to SPC charts (e.g., control charts, Cp/Cpk)

• Knowledge of Six Sigma or continuous improvement methodologies

• Familiarity with root cause analysis tools (5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto)

• Understanding of process capability and variation control

• Experience participating in CAPA or quality improvement activities

• Bilingual in English and Mandarin preferred

Location

This position is full-time and on-site at our Sugar Land, Texas, headquarters in Houston.

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

We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.