Principal Applications Engineer

NXP Semiconductors; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NXP Semiconductors is seeking a senior hardware engineer for its SerDes Networking Solution team in Austin, TX. You will collaborate with IC design, systems, FW, and test teams to translate field issues into product improvements and support bring-up on customer designs.

The role requires deep expertise in high-speed SerDes, SI/PI techniques, and hands-on lab work with high-end test equipment. You will develop collateral and participate in customer-facing activities, including on-site support and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years in hardware design, applications engineering, or system validation.
• Familiarity with high-speed data communication protocols and interfaces (Ethernet, MIPI CSI-2, DP/eDP).
• Strong understanding of SerDes fundamentals: channel loss, reflections, return loss, ISI, jitter, equalization, clocking.
• Experience with multi-Gbps serial links (Ethernet, PCIe, DP, USB3.x/USB4).
• Proficiency with SI/PI tools and simulations; ability to interpret results.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design, systems, FW, and test teams to translate field issues into product improvements.
• Review schematics/layouts for signal- and power-integrity best practices.
• Lead board-level bring-up and validation using test equipment; generate test reports.
• Provide on-site or remote debug support for complex issues.
• Develop and maintain application collateral: reference designs, guidelines, checklists, reports.

Skills

PCB design

SI/PI tools

SerDes fundamentals

Cross-functional teamwork

Lab equipment usage

Ethernet/PCIe/DP/USB

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Tools

S-parameter analysis

Eye/Jitter simulations

Oscilloscopes

TDR/VNA/BERT

Protocol analyzers

Job description

Locations available

San Diego and San Jose, California or Austin, Texas

Job Description

NXP’s SerDes Networking Solution (SNS) team delivers open-standard Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA) Motion Link multi‑Gigabit connectivity for next‑generation sensors and vehicle displays. As part of the Applications Engineering team, you will work with both internal engineering teams to develop collaterals to ease customer adoption of our SerDes solutions, as well as with NXP’s field teams and customer engineering teams to ensure successful system design and bring‑up.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborate with IC design, systems, FW, and test teams to translate field issues and customer requirements into product improvements and new features. Review customer schematics and layouts for signal‑integrity and power‑integrity best practices (impedance control, terminations, return paths, via design, reference plane strategy). Lead board‑level bring‑up and validation using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers; generate test reports and recommendations. Provide on‑site or remote debug support for complex customer issues. Develop and maintain application collateral: reference designs, layout guidelines, design checklists, characterization reports, application notes, training materials. Participate in trade shows and provide FAE training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related field.
• Extensive experience (12+ years) in hardware design, applications engineering, or system validation.
• Familiarity with high‑speed data communication protocols and interfaces, including Ethernet networking and switching, MIPI CSI‑2, and display protocols (DP/eDP).
• Strong understanding of high‑speed SerDes fundamentals: channel loss, reflections, return loss, insertion loss, ISI, jitter, equalization, and clocking.
• Demonstrated experience with multi‑Gbps serial links (e.g., Ethernet, PCIe, DP, USB3.x/USB4, proprietary SerDes).
• Proficiency with SI/PI tools and simulations (e.g., S‑parameter analysis, eye/jitter simulations) and comfort interpreting simulation and measurement correlation.
• Hands‑on experience using lab equipment: high‑bandwidth oscilloscopes, TDR, VNA, BERT, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and related tools.
• Strong skills in PCB design for high‑speed: layer stack‑up, routing constraints, differential pairs, reference planes, decoupling, and power delivery.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to explain complex technical topics to both expert and non‑expert audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with global, cross‑functional teams (design, systems, test, marketing, field).

Additional Information

NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) enables a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through innovation. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is pushing boundaries in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.

Bright Minds. Bright Futures. We believe that a key component to growing our business is to develop our people. To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.

Commitment At NXP. We recognize NXP is a powerful change agent as we continue to deliver innovative solutions that advance a more sustainable future. We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainability and making measurable year‑on‑year progress. Also, we aim to create an inclusive work environment and we will not tolerate racism, discrimination or harassment of any kind. We have programs in place focused on diversity, inclusion and equality. Thank you for considering a career at NXP.

Please note that NXP operates under a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for all recruitment activities. Any candidate profiles or resume submitted without a prior written agreement or explicit request from our Talent Acquisition team will be considered unsolicited. Such submissions will be deemed free of any obligations, and no fees will be paid by NXP or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or divisions – regardless of whether the candidate is hired, either coincidentally or otherwise. Thank you for your understanding.