Principal Applications Engineer

NXP Semiconductors; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

NXP Semiconductors is hiring for a role in their SerDes Networking Solution team based in San Jose, California. You will collaborate with engineering teams to develop support materials and ensure successful system design for their cutting-edge connectivity solutions.

This position demands extensive experience in hardware design and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Strong skills in PCB design and high-speed data protocols are essential. Join NXP for a rewarding career in the innovative automotive industry.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in hardware design or applications engineering.
• Strong understanding of multi-Gbps serial links such as PCIe and USB.
• Proficiency in S-parameter analysis and interpretation of simulation results.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design teams to translate field issues into product improvements.
• Review schematics for signal and power integrity best practices.
• Provide debug support for complex customer issues.
• Develop application collateral including reference designs and training materials.

Skills

High-speed data communication protocols

Signal integrity

Applications engineering

PCB design for high-speed

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Tools

High-bandwidth oscilloscopes

Protocol analyzers

Logic 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 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, firmware, 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 and 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, and training materials.
• Participate in trade shows and provide FAE training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a 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).

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.