Senior Hardware Engineer

Synopsys, Inc.; Porto; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Financial benefits

Job summary

Synopsys, Porto lab, seeks a senior hardware validation engineer to drive automation and scalable test infrastructure for mixed-signal IP such as HDMI, DP, and MIPI. You will deploy AI-powered characterization frameworks, select instruments, and ensure robust test coverage across the validation chain.

Collaboration with design teams, rigorous documentation, and mentoring of junior staff are integral. A Master’s in EE/CS and 5+ years in hardware validation are required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in EE/CS or equivalent.
• 5+ years applying automation to hardware validation or product development.
• Strong knowledge of mixed-signal IC concepts including ADCs, DACs, PLLs, and high-speed I/O.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data analysis, and instrument control.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, and network analyzers.
• UNIX/Linux environments and scripting; Verilog or Matlab is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deploy AI and automation frameworks to characterize mixed-signal IP blocks and reduce manual test time.
• Design and build laboratory test setups, selecting instruments and validating signal integrity across the chain.
• Operate high-end lab equipment to extract performance data from silicon.
• Troubleshoot hardware and measurement issues across DUT, test setup, and scripts.
• Document test procedures, results, and configurations for reproducibility.
• Collaborate with hardware design engineers to improve test setups and close validation gaps.

Skills

Automation experience

Python

Mixed-signal concepts

UNIX/Linux scripting

Test methodology

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Verilog

Matlab

Job description

We Are

Synopsys is the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, enabling customers to rapidly innovate AI-powered products. We deliver industry-leading silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis solutions, and design services. We partner closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow.

You Are

You bring deep expertise in hardware validation with a track record of building robust test infrastructure for complex mixed-signal IP. Your work has directly influenced product quality and time-to-market, and you understand how validation strategy shapes design decisions upstream. You have developed automation frameworks that others now depend on, and you know what separates a script that works once from a framework that scales across products and teams.

You operate with technical authority in the lab. When measurement results conflict with expectations, you systematically isolate root cause across the full stack: silicon behavior, test fixture design, instrument configuration, and software implementation. You make informed decisions about test coverage, measurement accuracy, and resource tradeoffs. Your documentation and knowledge transfer set the standard for the team because you recognize that institutional knowledge is a strategic asset. At Synopsys, you will apply this expertise to validate IP that enables connectivity in millions of devices worldwide.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Deploy AI and automation frameworks to characterize mixed-signal IP blocks including HDMI, DisplayPort, and MIPI interfaces, reducing manual test time and improving coverage
• Design and build laboratory test setups, selecting instruments, designing fixtures, and validating signal integrity across the measurement chain
• Operate high-end lab equipment including oscilloscopes, arbitrary waveform generators, network analyzers, and protocol analyzers to extract performance data from silicon
• Troubleshoot complex hardware and measurement issues, diagnosing problems across the DUT, test setup, automation scripts, and instrument configuration
• Interpret circuit schematics, layout files, and test specifications to validate IP performance against design requirements
• Document test procedures, results, and setup configurations for reproducibility and knowledge transfer across the global team
• Collaborate with hardware design engineers to improve test setups, propose new measurement techniques, and close validation gaps

The Impact You Will Have

• Validate IP blocks that enable high-speed connectivity in devices ranging from smartphones to automotive systems
• Reduce time-to-market by automating characterization workflows that previously required days of manual effort
• Catch signal integrity and performance issues early, preventing costly respins and customer escalations
• Build reusable test infrastructure that the global validation team can deploy across multiple IP families
• Provide design teams with accurate performance data that informs architecture decisions and datasheet specifications
• Help maintain Synopsys's reputation for delivering IP that meets spec in real-world systems
• Contribute to validation methodology improvements across the Porto lab and broader IP organization

What You’ll Need

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent technical discipline
• 5+ years applying automation, or advanced test methodologies to hardware validation or product development
• Strong knowledge of mixed-signal IC concepts including ADCs, DACs, PLLs, and high-speed I/O architectures
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data analysis, and instrument control
• Hands‑on experience with lab instruments such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, and network analyzers
• Solid understanding of transmission line theory, s‑parameters, and signal integrity fundamentals
• Experience with UNIX/Linux environments and scripting, experience with Verilog or Matlab is a plus

Who You Are

• You can diagnose a failing test by systematically isolating whether the issue is setup, software, signal integrity, or the device itself
• You write clear, maintainable automation code and documentation that others can use and build upon
• You ask clarifying questions when test specifications are ambiguous or results do not align with circuit behavior
• You communicate technical findings effectively to design engineers, explaining both what you measured and what it means
• You maintain lab equipment and test setups with discipline because you understand that quality measurements require quality infrastructure

The Team You'll Be Part Of

You will be part of the Synopsys Laboratory Team in Porto, Portugal, which is part of a worldwide team responsible for the test and characterization of several IP products, such as HDMI, DP, and MIPI (CDPHY, DPHY, MPHY). This team focuses on ensuring the high performance and reliability of Synopsys IP products through rigorous testing and validation processes.

Rewards and Benefits

We offer a comprehensive range of health, wellness, and financial benefits to cater to your needs. Our total rewards include both monetary and non-monetary offerings.