About the RoleWe are seeking a hands-on DVT Technical Lead (Individual Contributor) to own and drive the Design Validation Test (DVT) process end-to-end across complex electrical engineering boards and full systems. You will define validation strategy, build test plans and infrastructure, lead deep debug and root-cause analysis (RCA), and drive closure through design changes and re-test. The domain includes difficult power delivery technology, fast high-speed I/O, and electro-mechanical systems with thermal, optics, and high-power constraints. People management is not required (mentoring is a plus).
What You'll Own1) Board / Subassembly DVT (EE-heavy)- Own DVT for complex PCBAs and subassemblies from first power-on through design sign-off.
- Power validation: power-up/down sequencing, regulator/hotswap behavior, rail margining, DC IR drop, and AC noise/ripple characterization.
- Clock distribution validation and high-speed I/O interface validation (e.g., Ethernet/PCIe-class links, board-to-board connectors and cabling).
- Low-speed system management interface validation (e.g., I2C/SPI/USB) and debug of intermittent or systemic failures.
- Stress/environmental testing (extended runtime, temperature cycling) and characterization under margined conditions.
2) System-level DVT (integration + electro-mechanical)- Own system integration validation planning and execution across representative configurations and operating envelopes.
- Drive readiness and execution across lab and chamber environments, including dependency management (test scripts, instrumentation, SW readiness, sample availability).
- Validate and debug system-level issues spanning electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optics interactions.
- Partner with reliability and manufacturing teams to ensure DVT coverage supports ramp readiness and reduces escapes.
Key ResponsibilitiesDVT Strategy, Plans, and Coverage- Define a risk-based DVT strategy spanning board/subassembly engineering validation through system integration validation.
- Author and maintain DVT plans, procedures, and reports with crisp pass/fail criteria and coverage rationale.
- Establish stage gates and readiness reviews for execution quality (fixtures, instrumentation, scripts, SW readiness).
Hands-on Validation, Debug, and Closure- Build and own benchtop and rack-level validation setups that are repeatable and automation-friendly.
- Lead RCA for validation failures; drive corrective actions with design teams; verify fixes through re-test and data review.
- Execute and interpret power integrity/stability measurements (voltage/current stability, droop, ripple/noise, IR drop) and close gaps to requirements.
- Validate high-speed interconnect performance and margin; isolate failures across channel, connector/cable, PHY, and firmware/diagnostics layers.
DVT Infrastructure, Automation, and Data- Partner with diagnostics/software to improve DVT throughput via scripting, logging, and standardized test stages.
- Define required data capture and reporting standards to accelerate debug and support release gating.
- Drive continual improvements to test coverage, efficiency, and repeatability across builds.
Cross-functional Technical Leadership- Align EE/ME/FW/Diagnostics/Reliability/Manufacturing on priorities, schedules, and closure criteria.
- Influence design-for-testability improvements (debug visibility, margining hooks, instrumentation points, serviceability).
Minimum Qualifications- BS/MS in Electrical or Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- 8-15+ years of hardware validation/DVT experience on complex board and system-level products.
- Demonstrated ownership of board bring-up and DVT execution: test plan creation, instrumentation, debug, and closure.
- Strong background in power delivery validation and measurement (sequencing, margining, droop, ripple/noise, IR drop).
- Strong background in high-speed I/O validation and debug (PCIe/Ethernet-class links; channel and system-level troubleshooting).
- Proficiency with lab equipment: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies/analyzers, DC electronic loads; VNAs/BERTs as applicable.
- Strong written and verbal communication; ability to present results and drive decisions with data.
Preferred / Nice-to-Have- Experience with rack-scale and/or liquid-cooled systems; validation in environmental chambers.
- Experience supporting compliance/safety/EMC efforts as part of DVT readiness.
- Python (or similar) for test automation and data analysis; experience integrating results into dashboards/CI workflows.
- Experience mentoring engineers/technicians as an informal technical leader.
Success Measures- DVT plans are complete, prioritized, and executable; coverage gaps are explicit and tracked to closure.
- Validation failures convert quickly into RCAs and verified fixes; DVT becomes repeatable and less "heroic."
- Power delivery and high-speed I/O risks are discovered early and do not surprise late in system integration.
- Test automation/data capture improves cycle time and increases confidence in release gating.
Location :Sunnyvale, California
The base salary range for this position is $175,000 to $275,000 annually. Actual compensation may include bonus and equity, and will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.
