Engineer II- Product

Microchip Technology Inc.; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 76,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. in Burnaby, BC, is seeking a SERDES Characterization Engineer II to join the Electrical Characterization team.

You will validate and optimize SERDES interfaces up to 32Gbps NRZ or 128Gbps PAM4 and build automated test platforms across PVT conditions to enable high-volume deployment in data centers, automotive, and space applications. You will collaborate with mixed-signal designers to characterize architectures, including multi-mode transmitters, PLLs, CDRs, and DFEs,

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics.
• 1-2 years related experience in the field.
• Knowledge of semiconductor fundamentals, circuit theory and high-speed signals.
• Hands-on proficiency with lab instruments such as spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, BERTS and VNAs.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Hardware experience with high-speed analog circuits in a lab or test environment.
• Familiarity with script-based test automation using Python or other languages.

Responsibilities

• Shape next-generation IP — Drive R&D efforts on new mixed-signal designs, pushing the boundaries of electrical performance on state-of-the-art SERDES.
• Build smart tools — Develop automated test scripts and custom firmware that streamline SERDES performance tuning and unlock faster iteration.
• Engineer test hardware — Design high-performance PCBs and lab hardware that enable rigorous electrical compliance testing.
• Solve hard problems — Dig into complex SERDES circuit failures, root‑cause issues, and translate findings into concrete design improvements.
• Communicate impact — Author clear, detailed characterization plans and high-quality technical reports that guide design decisions across the team.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Analog & mixed-signal

High-speed signals

Lab instrumentation

Python scripting

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

BERTS

VNAs

Python

Job description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to be a part of something great? Want to join a 17,000-member team that works on the technology that powers the world around us? Looking for an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, respect, diversity, and communication? How about an opportunity to own a piece of a multi-billion dollar (with a B!) global organization? We offer all that and more at Microchip Technology Inc.

People come to work at Microchip because we help design the technology that runs the world. They stay because our culture supports their growth and stability. They are challenged and driven by an incredible array of products and solutions with unlimited career potential. Microchip’s nationally-recognized Leadership Passage Programs support career growth where we proudly enroll over a thousand people annually. We take pride in our commitment to employee development, values-based decision making, and strong sense of community, driven by our Vision, Mission, and 11 Guiding Values; we affectionately refer to it as the Aggregate System and it’s won us countless awards for diversity and workplace excellence.

Our company is built by dedicated team players who love to challenge the status quo; we did not achieve record revenue and over 30 years of quarterly profitability without a great team dedicated to empowering innovation. People like you.

Visit our careers page to see what exciting opportunities and company perks await!

Job Description

Microchip is looking for a SERDES Characterization Engineer II to join our Electrical Characterization team in Burnaby, BC — a key part of our Product Engineering group. This team sits at the cutting edge of high-speed connectivity, responsible for validating and optimizing the SERDES interfaces that power our newest products. We're talking about interfaces running up to 32Gbps NRZ or 128Gbps PAM4, supporting industry-defining protocols like PCIe, CXL, and OIF. As a Characterization Engineer, you'll build automated test platforms that push SERDES performance across process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) extremes — ensuring our designs are rock-solid and ready for high-volume deployment into datacenter, automotive, and even space applications. If you're excited by the challenge of working on some of the fastest, most demanding electrical interfaces in the industry — and want to see your work ship in mission-critical systems around the world — this role is for you.

Join our SERDES team at the forefront of high-speed connectivity design. You'll work hand-in-hand with mixed-signal designers to characterize, analyze, and debug cutting-edge SERDES architectures — gaining deep, hands-on insight into some of the most advanced analog circuits in the industry, including multi-mode transmitters, PLLs, clock/data recovery (CDR) circuits, and sophisticated receiver architectures (CTLEs, AFEs, FFEs, and DFEs).

In This Role, You Will

• Shape next-generation IP — Drive R&D efforts on new mixed-signal designs, pushing the boundaries of electrical performance on state-of-the-art SERDES.
• Build smart tools — Develop automated test scripts and custom firmware that streamline SERDES performance tuning and unlock faster iteration.
• Engineer test hardware — Design high-performance PCBs and lab hardware that enable rigorous electrical compliance testing.
• Solve hard problems — Dig into complex SERDES circuit failures, root‑cause issues, and translate findings into concrete design improvements.
• Communicate impact — Author clear, detailed characterization plans and high-quality technical reports that guide design decisions across the team.

This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of analog design, digital signal processing, and systems engineering — tackling the technical challenges that make next-generation high-speed interfaces possible.

Requirements/Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics.
• 1-2 years related experience in the field
• Knowledge of semiconductor fundamentals, circuit theory and high‑speed signals
• Hands‑on proficiency with lab instruments such as spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, BERTS and VNAs.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Hardware experience with high‑speed analog circuits in a lab or test environment
• Familiarity with script‑based test automation using Python or other languages

Travel Time

0% - 25%

Pay Range

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive base pay, restricted stock units, and quarterly bonus payments. In addition to these components, our package includes health benefits that begin day one, retirement savings plans, and an industry leading IESPP program with a 6-month look back feature. Find more information about all our benefits at the link below:

Benefits of working at Microchip

• Range is dependent on numerous factors including job location, skills and experience.

The annual base salary range for this position is $76,000 to $114,000.*

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.