IT Help Desk Specialist

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.

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.

AOI is seeking a customer-oriented and technically proficient IT Help Desk Specialist to join our on-site IT infrastructure team. In this role, you will serve as the first line of defense for all internal technical issues, managing user accounts and keeping our local workspace running smoothly. This position is ideal for an entry-level to mid-level professional who thrives in a hands-on environment, loves problem-solving, and enjoys collaborating face-to-face with colleagues to resolve everyday technical roadblocks.

• Provide timely, customer-focused technical support to onsite employees in person, by phone, and through the ticketing system.
• Install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain Windows 11 laptops, desktops, and peripherals, and support existing Windows 10 devices where still in use under AOI's approved support procedures.
• Troubleshoot common Microsoft 365 application issues, including Outlook, Teams, and Excel, and guide employees through practical solutions.
• Support routine user account administration in Active Directory and Microsoft Entra , including account setup, password resets, and access troubleshooting, following approved IT procedures.
• Manage support tickets from intake through resolution or escalation. Prioritize requests by business impact, document troubleshooting and outcomes, keep users informed, and escalate complex issues to the appropriate IT team.
• Prepare and deploy workstations for new hires, including computers, monitors, docking stations, printers, and desk phones; verify that equipment is ready for use.
• Troubleshoot basic Wi-Fi, Ethernet cabling, and VPN connectivity issues, and coordinate with the IT team when additional network support is needed.
• Create and update knowledge base articles and user guides that help employees resolve common issues and support consistent troubleshooting.

• 1-3 years of experience in an IT help desk, desktop support, or equivalent technical customer service role.
• Practical ability to troubleshoot Windows operating systems and core Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Teams, and Excel.
• Hands-on experience or foundational familiarity with Active Directory and Microsoft Entra  administration.
• Basic understanding of computer hardware, peripherals, and Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and VPN connectivity troubleshooting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with patience and empathy when assisting nontechnical employees.
• Ability to organize support requests, document work clearly, and follow through…