Hardware Applications Engineer (GP-64000987)

Cirrus Logic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading semiconductor company in Austin is seeking an experienced Hardware Applications Engineer. The role involves serving as the primary engineering consultant, driving customer adoption of audio technology products. Responsibilities include leading circuit analysis, conducting technical reviews of PCB designs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates have over 5 years of experience in the acoustic industry, along with strong skills in system-level troubleshooting and effective communication.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in mixed-signal audio technology.
• Proven experience with PCB schematic capture and layout design.
• Demonstrated understanding of SoundWire, I2S, TDM, and I2C/SPI.
• Experience analyzing audio products with professional lab equipment.
• Track record of debugging customer system-level integration issues.
• Ability to communicate complex technical challenges to diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with scripting/programming languages for automation.

Responsibilities

• Drive adoption of products as the primary engineering consultant.
• Lead circuit analysis and hardware debug for customer integration.
• Conduct technical reviews of PCB designs to optimize performance.
• Design application notes and reference schematics to aid customer adoption.
• Collaborate with software teams on product tools and utilities.
• Conduct training sessions for customer engineering teams.

Skills

Acoustic/semiconductor industry experience

Board-level design

Understanding of interface standards

Lab expertise with audio equipment

System-level troubleshooting

Customer communication

Programming aptitude

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Audio Precision analyzers

Oscilloscopes

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Overview

For over four decades, Cirrus Logic has been propelled by the top engineers in mixed-signal processing. Our rockstar team thrives on solving complex challenges with innovative end-user solutions for the world's top consumer brands. Cirrus Logic is also known for its award-winning culture, built on a foundation of inclusion and fairness, meaningful community engagement, and delivering enjoyable employee experiences at every turn. Our PC Division is seeking an experienced Hardware Applications Engineer to drive the next generation of audio experiences in laptops, desktops, and more. You will be the critical technical bridge between our cutting-edge codec and amplifier silicon and our top-tier PC industry customers, playing a key role in securing major design wins. If you thrive on deep-dive debug, system-level problem-solving, and have a passion for flawless audio quality, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities

• Customer Design Leadership: Drive the adoption of Cirrus Logic products by serving as the primary engineering consultant for customers and Field Application Engineers (FAEs).
• System Integration & Debug: Lead in-depth circuit analysis, data collection, and hardware debug to solve complex system-level integration challenges, travelling to customer sites as needed to ensure successful design-in activities.
• PCB Design Review: Execute technical reviews of customer PCB schematics and layouts to ensure optimal performance and integration of our high-performance components.
• New Product Enablement: Lead the Applications role in the definition and release of new devices, designing and maintaining key enablement assets such as application notes, reference schematics, and user guides to accelerate customer adoption.
• Design Tooling & Development: Design and schematic capture of internal and external customer development boards; collaborate closely with the software team on product tools and utilities.
• Mentorship & Training: Lead technical training sessions for both customer engineering teams and internal FAEs to elevate their product knowledge and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Cross-Functional Strategy: Communicate and collaborate effectively with silicon, firmware, and Product Marketing teams to contribute to the product roadmap and define key features for next-generation audio solutions.

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Experience: Bachelor\'s degree in Electrical Engineering and 5+ years of hands-on experience in the acoustic/semiconductor industry, specifically with amplifiers, codecs, or related mixed-signal audio technology.
• Board-Level Design: Proven experience with printed circuit board (PCB) schematic capture and layout design, including critical component selection.
• Standard Interfaces: Demonstrated aptitude and understanding of various industry interface standards, such as SoundWire, I2S, TDM, and I2C/SPI.
• Lab Expertise: Strong, demonstrable experience analyzing and evaluating audio products with professional lab equipment, including oscilloscopes, signal generators, Audio Precision analyzers, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
• System-Level Troubleshooting: Proven track record of debugging complex customer system-level hardware, software, and firmware integration issues.
• Customer Focus: Exceptional ability to clearly communicate complex technical challenges and solutions both verbally and in writing to customers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Programming Aptitude: Familiarity with a scripting/programming language such as Python or similar for automation and data analysis.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel to customer sites and conferences to support design-in activities.

Preferred Skills And Qualifications

• Education: Master\'s degree in Electrical Engineering
• PC Market Knowledge: Direct experience with the specific requirements, qualification processes, and ecosystem of the PC market (laptops, desktops, accessories).
• Signal Processing: An understanding of audio signal processing algorithms and techniques.
• Advanced Analysis: Experience utilizing audio analysis software, MATLAB, Python, and/or Excel for complex mathematical analysis of performance data.
• Passion for Audio: A genuine enthusiasm and passion for audio technology and delivering a superior end-user acoustic experience.

Export control restrictions based upon applicable laws and regulations would prohibit candidates who are nationals of certain embargoed countries from working in this position without Cirrus Logic first obtaining an export license. Candidates for this role must be able to access technical data without a requirement for an export license. We are unable to sponsor or obtain export licenses for this role.

Cirrus Logic strives to select the best qualified applicant for any opening. Different approaches, ideas and points of view are both valued and respected. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law.