Hardware Applications Engineer

Job Title

Hardware Applications Engineer

Role Summary

Work on customer platform bring-up, debug and resolve hardware issues, enable customer designs, and support production for Marvell Ethernet switching products. The role interfaces with customers, board and ASIC designers, program management, and vendors to deliver hardware solutions and design guidance.

Experience Level

Mid-level. The posting requests experienced application engineers; typical experience ranges from several years in customer-facing hardware or application engineering roles (see Education Requirements for degree/experience guidance).

Responsibilities

Provide technical support and design enablement for customers using Marvell Ethernet switching products. Key responsibilities include:

• Debug Layer-1 Ethernet issues related to SerDes and MAC/PHY (signal strength, SerDes eye analysis, SI parameter tuning).
• Debug board interfaces such as PCIe, I2C, MDIO and other on-board interfaces.
• Perform schematics and PCB layout reviews of customer platforms and provide actionable feedback.
• Write hardware design guidelines, application notes, and technical bulletins for customers and internal teams.
• Collaborate with board designers, ASIC/SerDes designers, program management, board vendors and component vendors to validate design parameters.
• Generate PCB stack-up recommendations aligned with industry fabrication materials and technologies.
• Communicate technical solutions to customers and internal cross-functional teams, balancing strategic and tactical considerations.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience for immediate success in the role:

Must-have:

• Proven experience in a customer-facing Application Engineer or equivalent customer-support role.
• Expertise in high-speed Ethernet SerDes interfaces (NRZ, PAM-4 up to 100G) and Ethernet physical layer (Layer 1) including SerDes, MAC, PCS and L1 interoperability debugging.
• Strong background in Signal Integrity, Power Integrity, electromagnetics, thermal analysis, multi-lane crosstalk, and RF as applied to IC package and PCB design.
• Practical experience performing schematics and PCB layout reviews.
• Familiarity with SI/EM/PI tools such as HyperLynx, Ansoft SIWave, HFSS, ADS, Sigrity, PowerSI/PowerDC, Cadence Allegro and Polar stack-up tools.
• Proficiency in at least one scripting language (Python, Perl, or Unix shell).
• Ability to operate lab equipment and test systems; troubleshooting on hardware platforms and test setups.
• Eligible to access export-controlled technology; candidates may be subject to export license review.

Preferred:

• Experience with MATLAB and advanced Python usage.
• Experience with servers (Windows/Linux), oscilloscopes, traffic generators (Ixia/Spirent/Xena), environmental chambers, Keysight VNA/TDR, and thermal test equipment.
• Experience programming high-speed optics modules and working with module types such as LR, SR, ZR, ZR4 and AECs.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related field (with 5–10 years of relevant professional experience), or a Master’s/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related fields (with 3–5 years of relevant experience). The posting specifies these degree and field expectations.

About the Company

Company: Marvell Technology

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States

Marvell’s semiconductor solutions serve as essential building blocks of the data infrastructure connecting our world, driving innovation across enterprise, cloud, AI, and carrier architectures. The company focuses on creating transformative technology that shapes the future.