Job Title:Hardware Validation Engineer (Power Integrity / Signal Integrity)
Location:Sunnyvale, CA (Onsite)
About the Role We are seeking an experienced Hardware / EE Validation Engineer to support the validation and testing of next-generation consumer electronics and smart wearable hardware. In this role, you will work closely with the Validation Lead to ensure that all electrical subsystems, power rails, and high-speed data lines meet stringent quality, performance, and reliability standards before mass production.
Your time will be split between analyzing validation test reports, driving cross-functional root-cause investigations with design and firmware teams, guiding manufacturing partners on measurement execution, and conducting hands-on Power Integrity (PI) and Signal Integrity (SI) lab debugging.
Key Responsibilities - Data Analysis & Issue Tracking (~60%):
- Review validation data and test reports from manufacturing partners (CM/ODM) to ensure test integrity and verify pass/fail criteria.
- Analyze hardware test failures to determine whether issues stem from measurement artifacts, design flaws, or assembly quality.
- Work closely with Electrical Engineering (EE), PCB layout, and Firmware (FW) teams to propose root-cause hypotheses and drive corrective actions.
- Maintain issue-tracking systems (e.g., JIRA), document failure trends, and track open hardware bugs through final resolution.
- Manufacturing & Test Partner Guidance (~20%):
- Author clear, repeatable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and measurement test plans for manufacturing technicians.
- Provide real-time technical guidance and training on probe placement, test fixturing, and bench test setups.
- Define test point strategies and provide annotated PCB layout markups for testability.
- Hands-On Lab Debugging & Characterization (~20%):
- Perform advanced PI/SI measurements on prototypes (first-article bring-up, transient loads, noise debugging).
- Characterize DC-DC converters (line/load regulation, efficiency, transient response, voltage droop, output ripple).
- Validate high-speed digital and communication interfaces (e.g., MIPI CSI, I2C, SPI, I2S/PDM, USB, UART) using eye diagrams, jitter analysis, and protocol analyzers.
Qualifications & Skills - Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE/MSEE) or a related field.
- Experience: 4+ years of hands-on EE hardware validation experience with a strong focus on Power Integrity (PI) and Signal Integrity (SI).
- In-depth understanding of Power Delivery Networks (PDN), power sequencing, DC-DC converter stability, and battery charging circuits.
- Hands-on experience analyzing high-speed digital interfaces, crosstalk, transmission line effects, and impedance matching (rigid and flex PCBs).
- Proficiency reading multi-page schematics and using PCB layout tools (e.g., Cadence Allegro, Altium Designer) to evaluate test access and signal routing.
- Lab Equipment: Expert-level proficiency with high-bandwidth oscilloscopes (Keysight, Tektronix $61$1 GHz), power rail probes, active/differential probes, spectrum analyzers, and SMUs.
- Communication: Strong technical writing skills to produce clear test procedures and effectively communicate hardware bugs across cross-functional engineering teams.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience validating compact, power-constrained consumer electronics (wearables, AR/VR headsets, mobile, or IoT devices).
- Prior experience collaborating with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) or Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs).
- Familiarity with hardware development stages (Proto, EVT, DVT, PVT) and New Product Introduction (NPI) workflows.
- Familiarity with basic RF parametric measurements (BLE/Wi-Fi power, sensitivity, antenna return loss).
Salary and Other Compensation:The annual salary for this position is between $144,000 and $147,000. Factors which may affect pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
Benefits:The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: [medical insurance] [dental insurance] [vision insurance] [401(k) retirement plan] [long-term disability insurance] [short-term disability insurance] [5 personal days accrued each calendar year. The paid time off benefits meet the paid sick and safe time laws that pertain to the City/ State] [10-15 days of paid vacation time] [6 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per calendar year] [Ascendion Learning Management System]
Want to change the world? Let us know.Tell us about your experiences, education, and ambitions. Bring your knowledge, unique viewpoint, and creativity to the table. Let's talk!
Preferred Skills Strong Communication
- Validation Engineer Strong Communication
- Validation Engineer
Job details Job ID 332965
Role Hardware Engineer
Location Sunnyvale, California, US
Job type Direct Hire
Recruiter Aman
Email
[email protected] 
