Hardware Applications Engineer (GP-64000987)

Cirrus Logic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovative work culture

Community engagement opportunities

Professional development programs

Job summary

Cirrus Logic in Austin, Texas, seeks a skilled Hardware Applications Engineer to enhance audio experiences in PCs. You will serve as a critical technical bridge with customers, tackling complex audio quality challenges and driving product adoption through engineering consultative roles.

Ideal candidates possess expertise in acoustic technologies, PCB design, and software-hardware debugging. Join Cirrus Logic to contribute to innovative sound solutions and an exceptional work environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in acoustic/semiconductor industry.
• Experience with PCB design including critical component selection.
• Strong understanding of SoundWire, I2S, TDM, and I2C/SPI standards.

Responsibilities

• Drive product adoption as primary engineering consultant for customers.
• Lead circuit analysis and hardware debug for system integration challenges.
• Execute technical reviews of customer PCB designs.

Skills

Acoustic/semiconductor experience

PCB schematic capture

Understanding of industry standards

Lab analysis expertise

System-level troubleshooting

Customer communication skills

Programming with Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Audio Precision analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Job description

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, which was built on a foundation of inclusion and fairness, meaningful community engagement, and delivering enjoyable employee experiences at every turn. But we couldn’t do it without our extraordinary workforce – and that’s where you come in. Join our team and help us continue to make Cirrus Logic an exceptional place to grow your career!

Our PC Division is seeking an experienced Hardware Applications Engineer to drive the next generation of audio experiences in laptops, desktops, and more. You won’t just support products; 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‑dived 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.