Senior Engineer II – Validation (Post-Silicon Automotive Ethernet PHY)

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Job Description:

Microchip Technology is seeking a Senior II Post‑Silicon Validation Engineer to join the NCS Automotive Ethernet team in Chandler, Arizona. This role focuses on post‑silicon validation of automotive Ethernet PHY products, with responsibilities spanning bench‑level validation, software‑driven automation, targeted hardware development, and compliance lab support.

At the Senior-II level, the engineer operates with minimal supervision, owns defined validation scope, and provides strong technical execution across hardware, software, and lab environments—without formal architectural or organizational ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute post‑silicon validation for assigned subsystems or features of automotive Ethernet PHY products.
• Develop and maintain validation plans aligned with product requirements and schedules.
• Lead silicon bring‑up and debug activities for A0/B0 revisions under established validation strategies.
• Independently debug complex mixed‑signal and system‑level issues involving PCS, PMA, AFE, and MAC interfaces.
• Design and implement limited‑scope hardware solutions to support validation, including:
  • Schematic capture for evaluation boards, adapters, and test fixtures
  • PCB layout guidance and design reviews for validation hardware
  • Board bring‑up, debug, and modification in the lab
• Support bench‑level validation and characterization, including performance, power, signal integrity, EMI, and thermal testing.
• Provide technical execution and oversight support in compliance labs, including test setup, debug, data review, and issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain Python‑based automation tools for validation, data collection, and analysis.
• Integrate software automation with lab instruments, traffic generators, and compliance test equipment.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and corrective actions in collaboration with design, DV, ATE, firmware, applications, and product engineering teams.
• Validate compliance to IEEE 802.3 and Open Alliance automotive Ethernet specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers on lab practices, automation, and debug techniques.
• Support customer escalations and field issues as a technical contributor when required.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with 7.5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Ability to independently execute debug tasks using a methodical and scientific process.
• Experience with high‑speed PCB design concepts.
• Hands‑on experience with circuit‑level development.
• Python software development experience instrument control and data analysis.
• Experience working in Linux‑based environments.
• Proficiency working in a lab environment and with relevant equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, BERTs, spectrum analyzers).
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of high-speed physical layer concepts
• Familiarity with automotive communication standards and compliance requirements.
• Experience with 100BASE‑T1, 1000BASE‑T1, and/or multi‑gig automotive Ethernet PHYs
• Familiarity with signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI considerations for automotive applications.
• Knowledge of Open Alliance test methodologies.
• Exposure to automotive quality and reliability standards (AEC‑Q100; ISO 26262 a plus).
• Prior experience supporting qualification and production ramp activities.

Travel Time:

0% - 25%

Physical Attributes:

Hearing, Seeing, Talking, Works Alone, Works Around Others

Physical Requirements:

80% sitting, 10% standing, 10% walking, 100% inside

Microchip Technology Inc is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster.

To all recruitment agencies: Microchip Technology Inc. does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our recruiting team or other Microchip employees. Microchip is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.