Location
Stansted, United Kingdom
Our Team
At Semtech, we are helping shape the future of AI infrastructure, cloud computing, and hyperscale networking through next-generation high-speed optical connectivity solutions.
Our Datacenter and High-Speed Optical Systems team develops the technologies enabling the world’s fastest and most demanding optical interconnect applications. From advanced analog and mixed-signal semiconductors to cutting-edge optical communications platforms, our innovations sit at the heart of tomorrow’s Datacenter infrastructure.
As the industry accelerates toward higher bandwidth, lower power consumption, and increasingly complex optical architectures, our Applications Engineering organization plays a pivotal role in bridging breakthrough technology with real-world customer success.
To support this growth, we are looking for an exceptional technical leader to lead and evolve our Global Applications Engineering team across North America and Europe.
Job Summary
This is far more than a traditional engineering management role.
We are seeking a technically fearless, customer-obsessed leader who thrives where deep engineering, ecosystem collaboration, and commercial impact intersect. Someone who is equally comfortable discussing high-speed signal integrity in the lab, shaping industry standards with peer companies, mentoring senior engineers, and supporting strategic customer engagements.
As Senior Manager, Global Applications Engineering, you will own the full Applications lifecycle across Semtech’s high-speed optical portfolio — from Standards engagement and Product Definition through Product Launch, Customer Enablement, and Post-Sales Support.
You will lead a world-class Applications Engineering team spanning the US, Canada, and UK while partnering closely with global FAE organizations including China. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity where your work will directly influence customer adoption, industry perception, ecosystem partnerships, and the future direction of next-generation optical communications.
A major part of this role will involve driving Semtech’s engagement across the broader optical ecosystem — building deep technical relationships with PIC vendors, photodiode suppliers, silicon photonics integrators, and optical module architects to help shape interoperable next-generation solutions.
You will also represent Semtech within key industry standards bodies including XPO-MSA, 400G Optical MSA, 200G LPO MSA, OIF, and IEEE 802.3, helping influence the specifications that will define the future of optical connectivity.
Responsibilities
1. Lead and own the complete Applications Engineering lifecycle including Standards engagement, Product Definition, Applications Planning, Product Launch activities, customer enablement, technical escalations, and post-sales support while maintaining clear product status cadence and executive visibility. (20%)
2. Drive Semtech’s strategic engagement with the optical ecosystem, building strong technical partnerships with PIC vendors, photodiode suppliers, module manufacturers, and silicon photonics integrators to champion interoperability, co-development, and next-generation optical system integration. (20%)
3. Inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing global Applications Engineering organization across the US, Canada, and UK while fostering strong collaboration with regional FAE teams including China. (20%)
4. Serve as the senior technical escalation point for strategic Datacenter and optical communications customers, partnering closely with Sales, Product Definition, Marketing, and Design Engineering teams to accelerate customer success, strengthen technical relationships, and secure key design wins. (15%)
5. Lead Semtech’s technical participation within industry standards organizations including OIF, IEEE 802.3, XPO-MSA, 400G Optical MSA, and 200G LPO MSA through technical submissions, empirical measurement data, interoperability initiatives, and industry-facing technical leadership. (10%)
6. Collaborate cross-functionally with Software, Firmware, and Hardware Engineering teams to ensure timely delivery of critical customer-enablement tools including GUI software, embedded firmware, and hardware evaluation platforms aligned to product launch and customer engagement timelines. (10%)
7. Represent Semtech at major industry conferences, standards events, customer engagements, and technology forums including OFC, ECOC, DesignCon, CIOE, and OCP, helping reinforce Semtech’s reputation as a leader in high-speed optical connectivity. (5%)
Minimum Qualifications
8. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a closely related discipline
9. Advanced degree (MSc, MEng, or PhD) preferred
10. 8+ years of progressive experience within semiconductor, optical communications, high-speed analog IC, or related Applications Engineering environments
11. Proven leadership experience managing globally distributed technical engineering teams
Deep technical expertise in:
12. High-speed signal integrity
13. Optical communications systems
14. Optical link budgets
15. Analog/mixed-signal architectures
16. Datacenter optical networking technologies
17. Hands-on experience with high-speed test and measurement equipment including BERT/PPG systems, oscilloscopes, VNAs, optical power meters, and spectrum analyzers
18. Experience collaborating with optical component vendors including PIC, photodiode, silicon photonics, or optical module suppliers
19. Demonstrated participation in industry standards organizations such as IEEE 802.3, OIF, or MSA working groups
20. Experience owning the Applications lifecycle from Product Definition through customer support
21. Experience driving cross-functional delivery of software tools, firmware, and hardware evaluation platforms
22. Comfortable operating across global time zones and collaborating with international engineering and FAE organizations
23. Python or equivalent scripting experience for automation and data analysis
24. Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage credibly with customers, engineering teams, executives, and industry standards peers
Desired Qualifications
25. Strong industry reputation and technical credibility within high-speed optical communications or Datacenter networking
26. Experience contributing technical papers, interoperability demonstrations, or empirical measurement data to standards organizations
27. Commercially minded with the ability to connect technical strategy directly to customer and business outcomes
28. Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills across complex global matrix organizations
29. Passion for developing engineering talent and building high-performance technical teams
30. Experience supporting hyperscale Datacenter, AI infrastructure, or next-generation optical networking applications
31. Comfortable operating within fast-paced, highly customer-facing environments with significant technical complexity
Why Join Us?
32. Lead a globally distributed Applications Engineering organization at the forefront of AI infrastructure and optical connectivity innovation
33. Influence the future direction of high-speed optical communications through direct ecosystem and standards leadership
34. Work alongside world-class engineering teams developing technologies powering next-generation Datacenter and networking platforms
35. Represent Semtech at the industry’s leading conferences, standards bodies, and strategic customer engagements
36. Join a company culture that values technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and meaningful customer impact
Career Growth Philosophy
At Semtech, we believe exceptional leadership is built through technical depth, collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth. We are committed to empowering our leaders through mentorship, learning opportunities, and meaningful exposure across both technology and business strategy.
Our pay-for-performance culture rewards initiative, accountability, customer focus, and leadership impact. In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape industry standards, influence next-generation technologies, develop global engineering talent, and leave a lasting mark on the future of optical communications.
Additional Notes
The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.
Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically included in this description.
All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.