AMS Validation Manager

Socket.dev; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev seeks an experienced manager to lead the AMS Silicon Validation team in San Diego. This hands-on leadership role builds a high‑performing engineering team delivering robust silicon validation while developing talent and expanding capability.

The role emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence across geographically distributed teams, ensuring successful validation of advanced mixed-signal IPs and complex high‑speed interfaces.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in silicon validation, mixed-signal design, analog design, or related semiconductor engineering.
• 3+ years of technical leadership or engineering management experience leading validation or mixed-signal engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience in silicon bring-up, characterization, validation planning, complex debug, failure analysis, and validation of advanced mixed-signal or high-speed interface IPs.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop engineers while building high-performing technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AMS Silicon Validation team in San Diego with hands-on leadership.
• Build and grow a high-performing engineering team focused on robust silicon validation.
• Develop technical talent, expand engineering capability, and foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
• Collaborate across organizations and geographies to ensure program delivery and technical leadership.

Skills

Silicon validation

Mixed-signal design

Analog design

Leadership

Validation planning

Debugging

Failure analysis

IP validation

Technical mentorship

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on manager to lead the AMS Silicon Validation team in San Diego. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for building a high-performing engineering team that delivers robust silicon validation while developing technical talent, expanding engineering capability, and fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and collaboration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor or Master degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline. 12+ years of experience in silicon validation, mixed-signal design, analog design, or related semiconductor engineering. 3+ years of technical leadership or engineering management experience leading validation or mixed-signal engineering teams. Strong hands-on experience in silicon bring-up, characterization, validation planning, complex debug, failure analysis, and validation of advanced mixed-signal or high-speed interface IPs. Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop engineers while building high-performing technical teams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience validating advanced mixed-signal or high-speed interfaces, such as, SerDes, PCIe, UCIe, PLL, Ethernet, or similar semiconductor technologies. Strong understanding of analog and mixed-signal circuit operation, high-speed measurements, signal integrity, jitter analysis, equalization, and advanced silicon validation methodologies. Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills with experience working effectively across geographically distributed engineering organizations. Demonstrated ability to remain technically engaged while balancing engineering execution, people leadership, and program delivery. Experience with validation automation, Python-based validation frameworks, AI-assisted validation workflows, robotic test systems, machine learning, and data analytics applied to silicon validation. Demonstrated success leading engineering teams within a matrixed organization, including the ability to influence without direct authority, establish trust across organizations, and build collaborative partnerships across geographically distributed teams. Experience expanding engineering capability by developing teams that successfully own both foundational IP validation and highly complex subsystem validation. Proven track record of recruiting, developing, mentoring, and retaining high-caliber engineering talent. Experience building collaborative engineering organizations where technical leadership, ownership, and execution are aligned to maximize overall program success rather than organizational boundaries. Demonstrated success driving engineering excellence, organizational capability growth, continuous improvement, and engineering innovation in a fast-paced semiconductor development environment.