Principal Product Applications Engineer - Ethernet
Role Overview
Astera Labs is seeking a Principal Product Applications Engineer to join our Taurus Ethernet Smart Cable Modules team and drive customer success at the forefront of AI infrastructure connectivity.
In this role, you'll be the technical expert customers rely on to successfully deploy Taurus Ethernet solutions in their most demanding environments. You'll work hands-on with hyperscalers, OEMs, and AI system builders to debug complex physical layer challenges, deliver technical enablement, and ensure seamless product integration.
Your customer insights will directly influence how we evolve our products to meet the market's most pressing connectivity needs. This is a unique opportunity to combine deep Ethernet and physical layer expertise with meaningful customer impact at a hyper-growth company defining the future of AI connectivity.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the primary technical resource for customers evaluating and deploying Taurus Ethernet Smart Cable Modules
Deliver technical presentations, product training, and hands-on demonstrations to customer engineering teams
Build trusted relationships with key accounts and drive successful product adoption
Lead root cause analysis and debugging of complex Ethernet physical layer and link issues in customer systems
Support customer lab bring-up, characterization, and system validation activities
Develop and execute test plans to reproduce and resolve customer-reported issues
Create application notes, integration guides, and best practices documentation for Ethernet system implementation
Contribute to product documentation including datasheets and user guides
Cross-functional Collaboration:
Partner with product management and engineering to translate customer feedback into product requirements
Support sales teams with technical expertise during pre-sales and post-sales engagements
Represent voice of the customer in internal roadmap discussions and feature prioritization
Willingness to travel for work within US and to Asia
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
8+ years of experience in applications engineering, technical support, or system engineering roles
Strong understanding of Ethernet physical layer specifications (100G/200G/400G/800G)
Hands-on experience with lab equipment including oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and BER test tools
Experience debugging high-speed serial interfaces and signal integrity challenges
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to convey complex technical concepts
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with optical modules, active cables, or similar high-speed connectivity components
Familiarity with AI/ML system architectures, GPU clusters, or data center networking
Background in signal integrity analysis and simulation
Scripting proficiency (Python, TCL) for test automation and data analysis
Prior experience working with hyperscale or enterprise data center customers
Knowledge of Ethernet consortium specifications and industry standards
Salary Range
$158,400 to $230,000 depending on experience, level, and business need.
This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.