Technical Staff Engineer - Validation

Job Title

Technical Staff Engineer - Validation

Role Summary

Senior validation engineer in the Mixed-Signal and Linear Division responsible for developing and executing silicon validation and characterization strategies for Delta-Sigma ADCs and precision mixed-signal products. The role leads first-silicon bring-up, hardware test development, automated measurement systems, and cross-functional debugging with Design and Applications teams.

Experience Level

Senior-level - requires extensive senior experience; the posting requests 12+ years in semiconductor validation, characterization, mixed-signal test, or a closely related discipline.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

• Lead development and execution of silicon validation and characterization plans for Delta-Sigma ADCs and precision mixed-signal products from first silicon to product release.
• Define validation requirements and methodologies for ADC performance metrics (e.g., SNR, SINAD, THD/THD+N, SFDR, ENOB, INL/DNL, offset/gain error, noise, bandwidth).
• Design and build precision bench hardware: evaluation boards, test fixtures, signal-conditioning circuitry, and automated measurement platforms.
• Develop measurement methodologies addressing clock integrity, jitter, grounding/shielding, power-supply and reference noise, coherent sampling, FFT analysis, and measurement noise floors.
• Perform detailed characterization across voltage, temperature, frequency, sampling rate, gain, operating mode, and other conditions.
• Lead first-silicon bring-up and debug; isolate issues among DUT, test hardware, instrumentation, firmware/software, and silicon design.
• Analyze bench data to identify anomalies and root causes; collaborate with Design Engineering on corrective actions and design improvements.
• Develop automated characterization environments using NI PXI/PXIe, LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent to improve repeatability and throughput.
• Provide characterization data and analysis to support datasheets, application documentation, qualification, and release decisions.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to validation engineers; drive improvements in hardware, methodology, instrumentation, and reusable test platforms.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• 12+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor validation, characterization, mixed-signal test, or closely related engineering roles.
• Deep understanding of Delta-Sigma ADC architectures and concepts: oversampling, quantization noise, noise shaping, decimation/digital filtering, sampling theory, and aliasing.
• Proven experience in ADC performance characterization (SNR, SINAD, THD/THD+N, SFDR, ENOB, FFT-based dynamic analysis, INL/DNL, offset/gain error, noise spectral density, reference and supply sensitivity).
• Strong analog hardware skills: schematic interpretation, PCB bring-up, signal integrity, grounding/shielding, power integrity, low-noise design, clock distribution, reference circuits, and precision signal conditioning.
• Extensive experience with laboratory instrumentation (precision signal generators, Audio Precision analyzers, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, DMMs, power supplies, NI PXI/PXIe).
• Understanding of measurement-system limitations (instrument noise floor, harmonic distortion, clock jitter, cabling/fixture parasitics, source/DUT interactions).
• Experience developing automated validation systems using LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar environments.
• Experience with common digital interfaces for device control (SPI, I2C) used in silicon configuration and test.
• Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills and ability to distinguish silicon issues from test-system limitations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated technical leadership and mentorship across validation activities.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline is required; a Master's degree is preferred.

About the Company

Company: Microchip

Headquarters: Chandler, Arizona, USA

Microchip is a leading semiconductor company focused on developing innovative solutions to enhance the human experience. With a commitment to empowering innovation, Microchip prioritizes the value of its employees by fostering a culture that supports their growth and contributions.