PCB Hardware Validation Engineer

Etched; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Etched is seeking a PCB Hardware Validation Engineer to validate PCB functionality and ensure robust operation across multiple subsystems. The role involves collecting and analyzing lab data, collaborating on post-silicon validation, and ensuring compliance with design specifications. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Electrical Engineering and experience with hardware validation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in hardware validation and PCB-level debugging.
• Strong understanding of power and signal integrity principles.
• Familiarity with PCIe, I2C, and relevant hardware interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Validate functionality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and ensure power margins.
• Collect and analyze lab data for hardware performance validation.
• Collaborate on post-silicon validation efforts and conduct characterization.

Skills

Power Integrity

Signal Integrity

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

Power Supplies

Job description

Join to apply for the PCB Hardware Validation Engineer role at Etched.

About Etched
Etched is building AI chips that are hard-coded for individual model architectures. Our first product (Sohu) only supports transformers, but has an order of magnitude more throughput and lower latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep chain-of-thought reasoning.

PCB Hardware Validation Engineer
We are seeking an experienced and motivated PCB Hardware Validation Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will focus on validating the functionality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and ensuring adequate power margins across all interfaces. You will play a critical role in collecting and analyzing data in the lab to validate hardware performance, support post-silicon characterization, and ensure robust operation across multiple subsystems, including PCIe and I2C.

Representative Projects

1. Perform PCB function verification to ensure all functions meet design specifications, validating critical parameters such as power and signal integrity margins.
2. Collect and analyze lab data to verify margins for power delivery networks, signal integrity, and overall system robustness.
3. Collaborate on post-silicon validation efforts, identifying key performance metrics, and conducting PVT, power, and thermal characterization to ensure alignment with design targets.
4. Evaluate PCIe performance and ensure adequate margins for reliable operation, including signal integrity (SI), EOM, and bit error rate (BER).
5. Identify critical bugs and drive root cause analysis to resolution, collaborating with cross-functional teams as needed.
6. Design and execute DOE experiments to resolve hardware issues and optimize system performance.
7. Validate power sequencing, ensure critical microcontroller functions are operating correctly, and conduct power efficiency, noise, and transient analysis.
8. Perform in-depth characterization of I2C bus systems to ensure compliance with design specifications.
9. Maintain and track critical hardware PCB issues, document findings, and ensure effective communication with relevant stakeholders.
10. Collaborate closely with design, firmware, and system engineering teams to ensure end-to-end hardware quality.

You may be a good fit if you have

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
2. Proven experience in hardware validation, lab testing, and PCB-level debugging.
3. Strong understanding of power and signal integrity principles, including measurement and analysis techniques.
4. Familiarity with PCIe, I2C, and other relevant hardware interfaces and protocols.
5. Experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and power supplies.
6. Hands-on experience in debugging hardware issues and conducting root cause analysis.
7. Knowledge of power sequencing and microcontroller (uC) systems.
8. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, scripting languages (e.g., Python, Matlab).
9. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification.