Solutions Engineer - Optical Solutions

Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

The Solutions Engineer – Optical Solutions is a highly visible, customer-facing role at the forefront of next-generation optical networking. You'll partner directly with AI data centers, optical module vendors, and hyperscalers to solve complex engineering challenges and architect innovative optical test and validation solutions that power the next generation of AI infrastructure. As Keysight continues to expand its optical portfolio, you'll play a pivotal role in connecting customer needs with breakthrough technologies, helping shape how the industry's most advanced optical systems are designed, validated, and brought to market.

This position is ideally based in the Santa Clara, California area to enable close collaboration with customers and local teams. However, for exceptional candidates located elsewhere in the United States, remote work may be considered with the expectation of approximately 50% travel to customer sites and Keysight locations as business needs require.

As a Solutions Engineer – Optical Solutions, you will serve as a trusted technical advisor, partnering with customers to solve complex optical engineering challenges by designing and delivering end-to-end test and validation solutions that integrate Keysight hardware, software, and ecosystem technologies.

You will:

• Partner with AI data centers, hyperscalers, optical module vendors, and silicon photonics companies to understand complex system-level challenges and develop customized optical test and validation solutions.
• Serve as the technical bridge between customers, Sales, and Keysight's Optical Center of Excellence (COE), helping translate customer requirements into innovative, scalable solutions.
• Architect end-to-end optical test solutions spanning:
  • Component characterization (lasers, modulators, photodiodes)
  • Module validation (400G, 800G, and emerging 1.6T transceivers)
  • System-level interoperability, including SerDes, host interfaces, and standards compliance.
• Design and integrate complete test solutions using optical modulation analyzers, BERTs, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, automation software, tunable lasers, power meters, and other technologies across Keysight's optical portfolio.
• Lead technical discovery with customers to identify unique application challenges, qualify technical opportunities, and define the optimal solution approach for high-impact engagements.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with customer engineering teams by providing deep technical expertise throughout solution design, deployment, and validation.
• Identify opportunities where custom engineering, software, professional services, or ecosystem partnerships are required to address customer-specific needs.
• Collaborate closely with product management, R&D, and cross-functional teams to provide customer insights that support the continued expansion and success of Keysight's optical portfolio.
• Stay at the forefront of emerging optical networking technologies, industry standards, and AI infrastructure trends to help customers address next-generation test and measurement challenges.

We're seeking a recognized technical expert who combines deep optical networking expertise with a passion for solving complex customer challenges. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in optical communications, test and measurement, and customer collaboration, with the ability to translate complex technical requirements into innovative, end-to-end solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline; Master's or Ph.D. preferred.
• Typically 10+ years of industry experience developing, testing, or supporting optical communication technologies.
• Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO)
  • High-speed optical interconnect technologies, including 112G, 224G, and 448G PAM4
  • Optical transceivers and interconnect architectures (400G, 800G, and emerging 1.6T)
  • Industry standards, including IEEE 802.3, OIF-CEI, and emerging AI interconnect standards
• Hands-on experience with optical test and measurement technologies, including products such as:
  • Optical modulation analyzers
  • Bit Error Rate Testers (BERTs)
  • High-bandwidth oscilloscopes
  • Network analyzers
  • Tunable lasers
  • Optical power meters
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex customer problems by designing and delivering integrated test and validation solutions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience collaborating directly with customer engineering teams and cross-functional technical organizations.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support customer engagements (typically 10–25%; up to approximately 50% for exceptional remote candidates).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting AI data centers, hyperscalers, optical module vendors, silicon photonics companies, or other leading optical networking organizations.
• Experience developing customized optical test solutions for customer-specific applications.
• Familiarity with Keysight optical solutions or comparable optical test and measurement platforms.
• Active participation in industry standards organizations or technical conferences (e.g., IEEE, OIF, OFC).

Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.

Pay Transparency:

The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education, and skills. Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.

California pay range: MIN $167,980 - MAX $279,970

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region.

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Health Savings Account
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life, Accident, Disability insurance
• Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
• Paid Family Leave
• Discounts, Perks
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption Assistance
• ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)