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Applied Optoelectronics

Engaged Employer

Applied Optoelectronics reviews

1.9

18% would recommend to a friend

(113 total reviews)
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Thompson Lin

3% approve of CEO

22% positive business outlook

Applied Optoelectronics has an employee rating of 1.9 out of 5 stars, based on 113 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a poor working experience there. The Applied Optoelectronics employee rating is 45% below average for employers within the Manufacturing industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

113 reviews
1.0
Sep 22, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This company has no good things to say.

Cons

During my time here, I found the work environment to be very disorganized and stressful. Upper management had no clear plan for projects and frequently changed direction at the last minute. Employees were often called into unplanned meetings and told to follow sudden changes without explanation. The pay is very low compared to industry standards, and there is no compensation for overtime. Instead of hiring sufficient technicians, management often required salaried engineers to cover technician duties such as cleaning machines and even mopping floors. Weekends and evenings were expected to be worked without additional pay. The production leadership in particular contributed to a toxic culture. Managers sometimes used inappropriate language during meetings, punished employees for being only a few minutes late (even when meeting rooms were changed last minute), and even terminated staff for refusing to work unpaid overtime on weekends. Overall, the company promotes a toxic work culture that prioritizes management’s convenience over employee well-being. I would not recommend this company to professionals seeking fair pay, respect, or a healthy work environment.

1.0
Aug 25, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Friendly and hard-working co-workers.

Cons

Biased opinions and discrimination based on cultural background, gender and age are publicly displayed. Female workers have to face sexism from managers. Equal employment opportunity is not truly practiced. Managers are working hard to introduce the Asian “Foxconn” culture into the company. Employees for all job-functions are paid much lower than industry standard. However, they are still “suggested” to work over-time. Employees are always micromanaged and watched over. This method does not favor a positive work environment and loyalty to the company, which explains the high turnover rate. Managers uses the fear factor to improve company performance and put little to no trust in their employees even when their employees are highly qualified and motivated. The company relies on the ongoing availability of desperate international PhD students who need sponsorship. Experienced employees are under-appreciated and not respected. Employee's 401K plan does not exist now because the CEO senses the company's unfavorable performance and wants the employees to pay for it.

1.0
Dec 20, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Insurance is good. Employees seem to have a generally positive attitude and remain hopeful for positive future outcomes.

Cons

Asians are the majority. There is no AOI culture there is only tue Asian culture . There is favoritisn towards Asians. If you dont know or dont want to conduct yourself the Asian way then you have absolutely no future here. Still I wouldn't recommend this place to even an Asian person.

Viewing 7 - 9 of 113 Reviews

Glassdoor has 119 Applied Optoelectronics reviews submitted anonymously by Applied Optoelectronics employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Applied Optoelectronics is right for you.