What are the responsibilities and job description for the System Engineer position at Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.?
About AOI
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical and HFC networking products the building blocks that power AI datacenters, CATV broadband, telecom, and fiber access networks around the world. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, AOI is a vertically integrated company that designs and manufactures everything from semiconductor laser chips to finished optical transceivers, serving tier-one customers across cloud computing, broadband, and telecom. With R&D operations in Atlanta, GA and global manufacturing presence in Taiwan and China, AOI is publicly traded on the Nasdaq (AAOI) and is actively expanding its U.S.-based manufacturing operations in Sugar Land to meet accelerating demand in the AI datacenter market.
Summary
The Systems Engineer is responsible for the provisioning, deployment, configuration, and administration of IT infrastructure and systems, while also serving as frontline technical support for end users across AOI's Sugar Land campus. This role supports Microsoft servers, PCs, VMware ESXi hosts, network-attached storage (NAS), network monitoring tools, and VPN solutions. This position sits within the office environment and acts as a walk-up helpdesk resource for employees, resolving day-to-day issues while also maintaining and improving the reliability, performance, security, and scalability of IT systems that support business operations. This is a hands-on role in an office environment adjacent and exposed to a 24/7 manufacturing facility that requires strong interpersonal skills, a service-first mindset, and the ability to communicate effectively across a diverse, multicultural workforce.
As the firm scales, the Management of Information Systems (MIS) team will continue to improve upon new hire onboarding integrations, knowledge base implementation, and ticketing system improvement projects. This position reports to the Deputy Director of Management of Information Systems (MIS).
Job Responsibilities
End-User Support & Helpdesk
Serve as a primary walk-up and ticketing-based helpdesk resource for employees, including user account provisioning, password resets, device setup, and general troubleshooting
Deliver consistently high-quality customer service in a diverse, multicultural environment, translating technical issues into clear, accessible language for non-technical staff
Support new hire IT onboarding, including workstation setup, account provisioning, and first-day connectivity
Takes immediate corrective action(s) against unsafe conditions to the best of ones own ability
Infrastructure & Systems Administration
Work closely with the System Architect and Cyber Security team to administer Active Directory and Group Policy
Configure and maintain VMware ESXi hosts, SAN, and NAS environments
Install and configure servers, operating systems (Windows Server, Linux), and application software
Manage software deployments and Windows Updates across the environment
Monitor system health and performance using monitoring tools; optimize for high availability
Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues across hardware, software, and network layers
Repair and recover from hardware or software failures; coordinate and communicate with impacted departments
Write scripts (Python, Bash, PowerShell) to automate repetitive administrative tasks
Implement security protocols, manage firewalls, and support backup and disaster recovery strategies
Maximize network performance by monitoring, troubleshooting outages, scheduling upgrades, and collaborating with network architects
Research and recommend innovative and automated approaches to system administration that leverage existing resources
Perform additional duties as assigned to support team and organizational objectives
Documentation & Continuous Improvement
Maintain and improve all technical documentation as required by management
Solicit end-user feedback to identify system pain points and translate those into technical requirements for upgrades
Stay current through professional development, publications, and professional organizations
Participate in on-call rotation to support 24/7 production operations (infrequent; phone-based rotation shared across the team)
Qualifications & Competencies
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education, certifications, and hands-on experience will be considered.
Experience:
Required:
- 35 years of experience administering Microsoft Windows operating systems, Windows Server, and Office 365
- 2 years of experience with VMware ESX/ESXi, SAN, and NAS
- Working knowledge of UNIX/Linux environments
- Strong networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, VPNs)
- Demonstrated experience in a helpdesk or end-user support capacity
- Professional fluency in English required
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a patient, service-oriented approach and the ability to work effectively across a diverse, multicultural environment
- Ability to manage competing priorities between infrastructure projects and real-time user support
- Ability to work on-call as needed
Preferred:
- CompTIA Network , MCSE, VMware VCP, or CCNA certification
- Mandarin bilingual
- Familiarity with SAP environments
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Experience with Hyper-V
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
- Relocation packages available within the United States.
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc (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.
We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.