Validation/Characterization Engineer - Space Power

Job Title

Validation/Characterization Engineer - Space Power

Role Summary

Validate and characterize radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant power ICs for space applications. Own validation plans, design test hardware, implement automated test sequences, and produce datasheet-quality characterization and statistical analyses to verify device behavior across use-cases and extreme conditions.

Work spans analog power products including LDOs, references, gate drivers, PWM controllers, and switching converters (including GaN-based stages) for deep-space and low-earth-orbit systems.

Experience Level

Mid-level - 3+ years of relevant semiconductor industry experience in product, test, characterization, or validation.

Responsibilities

Own and execute validation and characterization activities across device- and system-level use-cases, including edge and corner conditions.

• Define and own validation plans and schedules with coverage of device, system, and compliance specifications (PVT sweeps across process, voltage, temperature).
• Develop and maintain a VVCM/Starfish (or equivalent) compliance matrix to track coverage and closure of datasheet limits.
• Design and build validation PCBs that meet signal and power integrity requirements using Altium Designer and/or Cadence Allegro X.
• Develop reusable automated test sequences and data-collection frameworks using Python and NI TestStand.
• Collect datasheet plots and perform statistical analyses (distributions, Cpk, capability) to drive datasheet limit decisions.
• Support COTS upscreen validation flows to qualify commercial power ICs for space use.
• Collaborate with design, systems, applications, test engineering, and quality teams; lead reviews of validation boards and results.
• Debug anomalous behavior using designed experiments to isolate causes (stimulus, hardware, or on-device circuit blocks).

Requirements

Minimum technical requirements and practical skills required to perform the role; preferred skills follow.

Must-have:

• 3+ years semiconductor industry experience in product, test, characterization, or validation.
• Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation: oscilloscopes, source-measure units (SMUs), DMMs, signal generators, and power supplies.
• Experience developing test automation using Python and/or NI TestStand.
• Hands-on PCB design experience using Altium Designer and/or Cadence Allegro X.
• Version control experience with Git.

Nice-to-have:

• Familiarity with radiation-hardened/tolerant IC concepts (QMLV, QMLP, SEP ratings).
• Power-electronics characterization experience: Bode/AC sweeps, output noise, transient response, PSRR, startup/shutdown waveforms.
• Experience with GaN/wide-bandgap testing (double-pulse testing, CMTI) and high-voltage power-circuit labs.
• Familiarity with VVCM/Starfish or equivalent validation tracking tools and Spotfire or similar for parametric visualization.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field of study (degree level listed as Bachelor's). No alternative degree or equivalent-experience language was specified in the source.

About the Company

Company: Texas Instruments

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, USA

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, and sells analog and embedded processing chips for various markets including industrial, automotive, and personal electronics. The company's innovations aim to make electronics more affordable and reliable, fostering advancements in technology through each generation of semiconductors.