Principal Engineer - Applications (Precision Signal Chain, Data Converters / Linear)

Microchip Technology Inc; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. seeks a Principal Applications Engineer to define and refine the precision analog/mixed-signal product line. You will drive specifications, collaborate with design and product teams, and deliver system-level insights for products intended to ship for 10+ years.

The role emphasizes deep knowledge of ADCs, op amps, references, and current-sense devices, with room to broaden across the signal chain and own a product family over time.

Qualifications

• BSEE, MSEE, or PhD with 10+ years of analog/mixed-signal experience.
• Expertise in precision linear/analog or data converters.
• Bench evaluation and lab skills, SPICE, PCB bring-up.
• Strong written and verbal communication, cross-team collaboration.
• Willingness to travel 0–25%.

Responsibilities

• Define device specifications and derive key features and requirements.
• Evaluate new silicon with real-world test cases and reference circuits.
• Develop reference designs and evaluation boards for signal-chain solutions.
• Prepare datasheets, application notes, and collateral with technical accuracy.
• Provide training and guidance to junior engineers.

Skills

Analog/mixed-signal design

Data converters (SAR/DAC)

SPICE simulation

Technical communication

Education

BSEE/MSEE/PhD

Tools

SPICE

Oscilloscope

PCB design tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to be a part of something great? Want to join a 17,000-member team that works on the technology that powers the world around us? Looking for an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, respect, diversity, and communication? How about an opportunity to own a piece of a multi-billion dollar (with a B!) global organization? We offer all that and more at Microchip Technology Inc.

People come to work at Microchip because we help design the technology that runs the world. They stay because our culture supports their growth and stability. They are challenged and driven by an incredible array of products and solutions with unlimited career potential. Microchip's nationally-recognized Leadership Passage Programs support career growth where we proudly enroll over a thousand people annually. We take pride in our commitment to employee development, values-based decision making, and strong sense of community, driven by our Vision, Mission, and 11 Guiding Values; we affectionately refer to it as the Aggregate System and it's won us countless awards for diversity and workplace excellence.

Our company is built by dedicated team players who love to challenge the status quo; we did not achieve record revenue and over 30 years of quarterly profitability without a great team dedicated to empowering innovation. People like you.

Visit our careers page to see what exciting opportunities and company perks await!

Job Description:

Help define the next generation of Microchip's precision analog and mixed-signal products. The Mixed Signal & Linear Division builds the complete precision signal chain: op amps, comparators, voltage references, current-sense amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, and digital potentiometers. One applications team supports all of it.

As a Principal Applications Engineer, you'll drive device specifications, work with design engineering on architecture trade-offs, and bring a system-level view of the customer to products that ship for 10+ years. We're looking for depth in either precision linear/analog or data converters, and an understanding of how the two work together. Depending on your background, your initial focus will be either ADCs (primarily SAR) or linear products such as op amps, comparators, voltage references, and current-sense amplifiers. From there you'll have room to broaden across the signal chain and a clear path to product-family ownership.

The position works closely with product marketing, architecture, design engineering, product engineering, validation, and test throughout the new-product-development lifecycle. It also supports sustaining and lifecycle activities for assigned devices.

Core responsibilities

Definition

• Author and maintain device specifications for assigned new products and derivatives. Drive them through defined milestones, capturing product goals, key features, specifications, and application requirements.
• Translate customer needs, market input, and application use cases into clear requirements and key specification parameters, including the specs that can't be compromised.
• Work with design engineering during early specification phases to evaluate architecture trade-offs and refine block-level definitions.

Application evaluation and system enablement

• Perform hands-on application-level evaluation of new silicon, testing device functionality in real-world use cases and reference circuits from the customer's perspective. Feed findings back to design, validation, and product teams ahead of release.
• Design, review, and bring up reference and evaluation hardware, with a focus on complete signal-chain solutions (sensor front end, amplification, reference, conversion).
• Develop application collateral: application notes, design guides, reference designs, and evaluation board documentation. Support simulation-model releases (SPICE macromodels, behavioral models) for accuracy in application use.
• Write and review datasheets and spec-derived collateral for technical accuracy and consistency ahead of product release.

Customer and team

• Resolve complex, escalated design issues with customers and field applications teams.
• Deliver technical training on product operation and system-level signal-chain design.
• Provide technical guidance to junior applications engineers.

Requirements/Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• BSEE, MSEE, or PhD with 10+ years of experience in analog/mixed-signal applications, design, validation, or systems engineering
• Deep hands-on expertise in at least one of the following:
  • Precision linear/analog: op amps, comparators, voltage references, current-sense amplifiers. Includes stability and compensation, noise, offset and drift, input/output stage trade-offs, and capacitive-load behavior
  • Data converters: SAR and/or delta-sigma ADCs, DACs. Includes input drive and settling, reference design, anti-aliasing, and converter metrics (INL/DNL, ENOB, SNR/SFDR/THD)
• Working knowledge of the other area as it applies to precision signal-chain design (for example, how amplifier and reference choices affect converter performance)
• Experience contributing to product requirements or device definition
• Solid bench evaluation and debug skills with standard lab instrumentation; experience with PCB design and hardware bring-up
• Proficiency with SPICE simulation and tools for circuit analysis and design verification
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation such as datasheets and application notes
• Able to manage multiple projects, work independently, and collaborate across teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Depth in both linear/analog and data converters
• Embedded programming for MCU-based device evaluation over standard serial interfaces (e.g., SPI, QSPI, I2C, I3C)
• Data analysis or lab automation (Python, MATLAB)
• Analog mixed-mode simulation (AMS), behavioral modeling, or SPICE macro model development
• Direct technical engagement with customers (design-in support, requirements discovery, training)
• Published application notes or articles, or experience delivering technical workshops
• Domain knowledge in an end market such as industrial, energy metering, medical, or automotive

Travel Time:

0% - 25%

Physical Attributes:

Hearing, Seeing, Talking, Works Alone, Works Around Others

Physical Requirements:

10% Standing 90% Sitting 100% Inside

Microchip Technology Inc is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster.