Employee Relations HR Partner

Employee Relations HR Partner

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.

We are seeking an experienced Employee Relations HR Partner to serve as the frontline HR leader for production managers and supervisors as our manufacturing operations scale. This role builds trust across the production floor to drive real improvements in employee engagement, conflict resolution, investigations, and management coaching. To be successful, the Employee Relations HR Partner pairs empathy with disciplined execution and sound judgment. You will serve as a trusted, accessible resource and colleague to all employees in the organization, including hourly employees and temporary staff.

Our workforce spans office, warehouse, and clean-room manufacturing environments across multiple sites. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, navigates cross-cultural dynamics with curiosity and respect, and adapts their approach to different audiences while maintaining consistent standards and fair outcomes. You will coach supervisors through sensitive situations, resolve complex employee issues, lead fair and well-documented investigations, and apply risk management as we grow and formalize processes.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR partner to frontline managers and supervisors, providing day-to-day guidance on employee relations issues, performance management, and leadership practices
• Provide coaching and training to frontline managers on conflict resolution, effective communication, talent development, and handling sensitive employee situations
• Lead and manage workplace investigations that vary across complaints, grievances, and policy violations to ensure timely, fair, and compliant resolution
• Collaborate with executive leadership, legal, and compliance teams to drive initiatives and manage escalated employee matters.
• Analyze employee relations and engagement data to surface trends and drive proactive solutions.
• Partner with production and operations leadership to address workforce challenges including attendance, retention, and shift-based dynamics.
• Co-lead employee engagement surveys, focus groups, and feedback sessions, and turn results into strategies that improve culture and retention.
• Work with Talent Acquisition to identify talent gaps and advise managers on development and headcount strategy
• Design, implement, and manage Just-In-Time Training and other employee learning and development programs for production, operations and office employees.
• Support day-to-day HR operations and projects as needed

Qualifications

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Human Resources Development, Business Administration, or related field
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on employee relations, engagement, and talent development
• Previous experience supporting an hourly, production, or manufacturing employee population
• Demonstrated experience leading employee investigations and managing conflict resolution from intake through resolution
• Experience working with diverse and multicultural employee populations
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, influencing, and problem-solving skills
• Solid understanding of employment law, HR policies, and regulatory requirements
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work through ambiguity and take initiative
• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality

Preferred:

• Bilingual in Mandarin, Spanish, or Vietnamese
• SHRM-CP or PHR certification
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite for project documentation and reporting
• Experience supporting a multilingual, multicultural production workforce

Location & Work Environment

This position is full-time and based in Sugar Land, Texas. This location has a combination of office, warehouse, and cleanroom manufacturing work environments.

• Business Hours for this position are 9am to 6pm CT, Monday through Friday.
• This position may require occasional after-hours response for time-sensitive employee relations matters as they arise.

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