Senior Characterization Engineer

Sierra Wireless; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

As a Senior Staff Characterisation Engineer at Semtech’s Bristol team, you will lead planning and execution of bench PVT characterisation for advanced high-speed signal integrity products across optical and electrical semiconductor technologies.

Working with an international development team across the UK, Canada, the United States, and Mexico, you will develop automated test solutions, analyse complex datasets, and ensure successful product development and release while maintaining strong

Qualifications

• BEng or MEng in Electronic Engineering or closely related discipline
• 5–10 years of relevant industry experience in semiconductor, signal integrity, or high-speed electronics development environments
• Strong experience and understanding of signal integrity testing for high-speed analogue silicon products
• Hands-on experience developing automation solutions using Python or similar programming languages
• Strong understanding of PCB design fundamentals for high-frequency and high-speed data rate applications
• Experience working within laboratory environments using advanced electronic test equipment
• Proven ability to generate, manage, and analyse large and complex engineering datasets
• Excellent debugging, troubleshooting, and analytical problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of characterisation activities for assigned New Product Introduction (NPI) products, including development of characterisation plans, scheduling, equipment selection, hardware preparation, and fixture design. (30%)
• Develop and bring up robust, repeatable automated test environments while executing test plans and performing real‑time analysis of characterisation results to ensure accurate and timely project delivery. (25%)
• Generate complex datasets, produce detailed technical reports, review findings with cross‑functional engineering teams, and proactively manage follow‑up actions to maintain product quality and performance standards. (20%)
• Contribute to ongoing automation and process development activities, including Python‑based test automation, automated test method development, signal integrity improvements, and implementation of AI tools to improve engineering efficiency. (15%)
• Support technical development within the wider engineering team by mentoring junior engineers, sharing technical expertise, and continuously expanding knowledge of emerging technologies, test equipment, standards, and advanced packaging technologies. (10%)

Skills

Data analysis

Debugging and troubleshooting

Team collaboration

High-speed signal awareness

Laboratory problem-solving

PCB design fundamentals

Education

BEng or MEng in Electronic Engineering

Tools

Python

Automated test equipment (ATE)

Job description

Location: Bristol, UK (Hybrid)

Hybrid Model: Office: Mon - Thurs

Our Team: Semtech’s Signal Integrity Products group develops industry-leading high-speed semiconductor solutions that enable next-generation communications infrastructure across data centres, cloud computing, optical networking, and high-performance connectivity applications. Our advanced portfolio of optical and electrical products supports increasingly demanding bandwidth requirements, helping customers deliver faster, more reliable data transmission technologies worldwide.

As innovation in high-speed connectivity continues to accelerate, our engineering teams are focused on developing increasingly sophisticated products that push the boundaries of signal integrity performance. To support this continued growth, we are expanding our Characterisation Engineering team in Bristol and seeking an experienced Senior Characterisation Engineer to play a critical role in new product development and validation activities.

Job Summary

As a Senior Staff Characterisation Engineer, you will be responsible for leading, planning, and executing bench PVT characterisation activities for advanced high-speed signal integrity products across both optical and electrical semiconductor technologies.

Working as part of an international development team spanning the UK, Canada, the United States, and Mexico, you will develop automated test solutions, execute comprehensive characterisation plans, analyse complex datasets, and collaborate closely with cross‑functional engineering teams to ensure successful product development and release.

This position requires a highly motivated engineer who thrives in a laboratory environment, demonstrates strong technical ownership, and is comfortable working independently while contributing to a collaborative global engineering organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of characterisation activities for assigned New Product Introduction (NPI) products, including development of characterisation plans, scheduling, equipment selection, hardware preparation, and fixture design. (30%)
• Develop and bring up robust, repeatable automated test environments while executing test plans and performing real‑time analysis of characterisation results to ensure accurate and timely project delivery. (25%)
• Generate complex datasets, produce detailed technical reports, review findings with cross‑functional engineering teams, and proactively manage follow‑up actions to maintain product quality and performance standards. (20%)
• Contribute to ongoing automation and process development activities, including Python‑based test automation, automated test method development, signal integrity improvements, and implementation of AI tools to improve engineering efficiency. (15%)
• Support technical development within the wider engineering team by mentoring junior engineers, sharing technical expertise, and continuously expanding knowledge of emerging technologies, test equipment, standards, and advanced packaging technologies. (10%)

Minimum Qualifications

• BEng or MEng in Electronic Engineering or closely related discipline
• 5–10 years of relevant industry experience in semiconductor, signal integrity, or high‑speed electronics development environments
• Strong experience and understanding of signal integrity testing for high‑speed analogue silicon products
• Hands‑on experience developing automation solutions using Python or similar programming languages
• Strong understanding of PCB design fundamentals for high‑frequency and high‑speed data rate applications
• Experience working within laboratory environments using advanced electronic test equipment
• Proven ability to generate, manage, and analyse large and complex engineering datasets
• Excellent debugging, troubleshooting, and analytical problem‑solving skills

Desired Qualifications

• Experience characterising high‑speed optical or electrical semiconductor products
• Strong understanding of high‑frequency measurement techniques and signal integrity analysis methodologies
• Experience working with automated test equipment development and hardware integration
• Comfortable collaborating within global, cross‑functional engineering teams across multiple international locations
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to clearly present data and engineering findings
• High attention to detail with excellent organisational and execution skills under tight project schedules
• Experience identifying process improvement opportunities and driving automation efficiency initiatives
• Interest in applying AI‑based tools to improve engineering workflows and productivity

Why Join Us?

• Work on cutting‑edge high-speed semiconductor technologies that power next‑generation global communications infrastructure
• Collaborate with highly skilled engineering teams across an international and multidisciplinary organisation
• Take ownership of critical product characterisation activities that directly influence product quality and successful product launch
• Join an engineering culture focused on innovation, technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Career Growth Philosophy

At Semtech, we believe our greatest innovations come from empowering exceptional engineering talent. We are committed to supporting professional development through mentorship, continuous technical learning, and providing opportunities to work on highly complex, industry‑leading technologies.

Our pay‑for‑performance culture recognises technical excellence, initiative, and leadership contribution. Engineers within this role are encouraged to continuously develop new skills, expand their technical expertise, and play a key role in shaping both their own career development and the future of Semtech’s advanced semiconductor technologies.

Additional Notes

The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.

Incumbents may be required to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically included in this description.

All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.