Hardware Engineer, Product Engineering

Viasat; Tempe (AZ); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking an experienced circuit engineer to perform technical recovery of critical high-speed digital, mixed-signal, and RF boards used in terrestrial and ship-board satellite systems.

You will analyze complex faults from system to component level, guide recovery, and help create user documentation to extend product life. A 10+ year track record and US citizenship are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in electrical/electronic/computer engineering or similar.
• 10+ years electronic circuit engineering experience with high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits.
• Strong knowledge of high-speed serial interfaces (DDR2/3/4, LVDS, Ethernet, USB, SATA, mSATA, PCI/PCIe, SFP+).
• Understanding of UHF RF functions (amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, impedance matching).
• Ability to use and learn electronic lab test equipment.
• Knowledge of how contract manufacturers build/test complex boards.
• Embedded computer architectures knowledge (CPU, memory controllers, I/O buses, SERDES).
• Ability to read schematics, PCB layouts, BOMs; debugging experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to work distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex circuit boards with mixed signal components (FPGAs, CPLDs, MCUs, DSPs, CPUs, PHYs, DDR memories).
• Analyze power supplies (SMPS, LDOs, sequencing, feedback).
• Use test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, DMMs, JTAG/I2C) to isolate faults.
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, manufacturing, and operations.
• Develop technical user documentation for recovery and life extension of boards.
• Provide support to other engineers and technicians; define test cases with test engineering.

Skills

High-speed digital

Mixed-signal circuits

DDR/USB/SATA interfaces

RF fundamentals

lab test equipment

embedded computer architectures

schematics reading

debugging embedded issues

communication skills

travel up to 10%

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Altium

OrCAD

Cadence Allegro

Job description

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What you'll do

In this position you will be in a critical engineering role responsible for the technical recovery of critical high-speed digital, analog, mixed-signal and UHF RF circuit boards used in terrestrial and ship-board satellite communication systems. Your contributions will have a direct impact on the deployment and sustainment of these complex communication systems.

You will use your circuit engineering experience to analyze and determine complex technical faults from the system level to the component level and provide direct guidance on the recovery of the various boards. You will also help develop technical user documentation to aid other engineers and technicians in product recovery and operational life extension of these systems.

The day-to-day

• Analyze complex communication system circuit boards containing a mix of high-speed digital circuits including FPGAs, CPLDs, MCUs, DSPs, CPUs, PHYs, DDR Memories, SATA drives, eMMC and similar components.
• Analyze mixed signal circuits including power supplies, RF devices, A/Ds, D/As, amplifiers, filters, clocks, oscillators, MOSFETs, BJTs, and similar lower-level components.
• Analyze power supply circuits containing switch mode power supplies (SMPSs), LDO and linear components including power on sequencing, timing and feedback and control loops.
• Analyze mixed signal UHF & DSP, MCU or FPGA based communication boards.
• Use various test equipment such as oscilloscopes, RF power meters, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, data loggers, DMMs, JTAG & I2C USB programmers, and custom-built test stations to isolate faulty functional areas.
• Work with other multi-functional members in engineering, program management, manufacturing and operations personnel.
• Comfortable with using programming and analysis tools such as JTAG, I2C, SPI and other common device programming tools.
• Provide support to other engineering and technician personnel across multiple programs.
• Work with the test engineering group to define and implement test cases and scenarios applicable to that solution.
• Evolve to be a domain expert on the boards and systems in use and may provide architectural and technical guidance on proposed new solutions.
• Support component engineering in identifying compatible components that may replace End Of Life components.
• Generate and collaborate on required engineering documents and processes to ensure accurate and timely resolutions to recover & re-deploy the boards.

What you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronic, computer engineering or similar is required.
• 10+ years electronic circuit engineering experience involving high-speed digital and mixed signal circuits.
• Solid understanding of high-speed serial communication interfaces such as DDR2/3/4, LVDS, 100/1000 Mb Ethernet, USB, SATA, mSATA, PCI, PCIe, SFP+ and similar.
• Understanding of UHF RF functions including amplifiers, multipliers, local oscillators, mixers, attenuators, filters and impedance matching networks.
• Ability to use and learn new types of electronic lab test equipment.
• Have general knowledge and experience of how Contract Manufacturers build and test complex electronic boards.
• Understanding of embedded computer architectures including CPU, Memory Controllers, I/O busses, SERDES busses and various logic interfaces.
• Proficiency in reading and understanding schematics, board layout files, BOMs, and other technical collateral.
• Proven experience in debugging, diagnosing, and solving embedded circuit issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with a geographically distributed team.
• Attention to detail, ability to follow process and engineering guidelines, participate in technical reviews and accept feedback.
• Work in a team environment and collaborate with other engineers and technicians providing technical insight, support and recommendations.
• Work independently, take initiative, and take ownership of tasks and results when required.
• US citizenship required
• Ability to travel up to 10%

What will help you on the job

• Familiarity with developing firmware or code for microcontrollers, power sequencers, FPGAs, SoCs, EEPROMs and other digital devices.
• Desire to learn or create new methods in which to accurately determine faulty components using in-house or commercially available tools. This may include designing new engineering tools using MCUs, LCDs, I2C expanders, etc.
• Ability to use schematic capture and PCB board layout tools such as Altium®, OrCAD ®, Cadence Allegro ®, etc.
• Experience with high-speed digital backplane architectures such as ATCA & VME.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Pearl or other industry common languages.
• Experience with Programmable Logic EDA tools, such as AMD/Xilinx ISE/Vivado, Intel/Altera Quartus, Siemens/Mentor Graphics, or similar.
• Experience and familiarity with Linux-based operating environments
• Exposure and ideally experience with using Labview or similar lab-based languages.

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Salary range

$132,500.00 - $209,500.00 / annually.For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $164,500.00- $246,500.00/ annually

At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat’s comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.