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. As data centers scale to meet explosive AI workload demands, our Taurus products are enabling the high-bandwidth, low-latency Ethernet fabric connections that power next-generation GPU clusters and disaggregated computing architectures. 

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. You'll collaborate across engineering, sales, and product teams while building relationships with the world's most innovative technology companies. 

Key Responsibilities 

Customer Technical Engagement 

• 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 

System-Level Debug & Validation Support 

• 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 

Technical Documentation & Enablement 

• Create application notes, integration guides, and best practices documentation for Ethernet system implementation 
• Develop technical collateral that accelerates customer time-to-deployment 
• 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 

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 is $158,400 to $220,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.