Principal Validation Engineer - RF & Microwave

MACOM; Milpitas, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Free access to gym

Job summary

MACOM is seeking a Silicon Validation Engineer in Milpitas to validate new silicon devices and drive transitions from design to production. You will build and execute post-silicon validation plans, tackle hardware and software issues, and develop robust test infrastructures with cross-functional teams.

Strong RF/microwave testing skills and scripting for automation are essential, with excellent problem-solving and communication abilities.

Qualifications

• BSEE or related degree required; an MSEE is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years as a Validation or Application Engineer in the RF/microwave semiconductor field.
• Experience with packaged test and circuit probe preferred.
• Ability to analyze data using statistical methodology and present technical information.
• Experience in engineering and quality requirements for RF/Microwave assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Post-Silicon Validation: Develop and execute validation plans for new silicon devices. Perform functional, electrical, and performance testing on prototype chips.
• Debug and Issue Resolution: Identify, analyze, and resolve silicon issues using lab equipment and cross-functional teams to root-cause failures.
• Test Infrastructure Development: Create automated test scripts and frameworks; develop hardware setups for validation.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect and analyze large datasets to characterize silicon performance; document findings for design feedback.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Interface with design, product engineering, and manufacturing; support bring-up and field issue replication.

Job description

Company Overview:

MACOM designs and manufactures semiconductor products for DataCenter, Telecommunication, and Industrial and Defense applications.Headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts, MACOM has design centers and salesoffices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. MACOM is certified to theISO9001 international quality standard and ISO14001 environmental managementstandard.
MACOM has more than 75 years of application expertise withmultiple design centers, Si, GaAs, and InP fabrication, manufacturing, assemblyand test, and operational facilities throughout North America, Europe, andAsia.
MACOM offers foundry services that represents a key corecompetency within our business.
MACOM sells and distributes products globally via asales channel comprised of a direct field sales force, authorized sales representatives,and leading industry distributors. Our sales team is trained across all of ourproducts to give our customers insights into our entire portfolio.

Job title: SiliconValidation Engineer

Position Overview:

As a Silicon Validation Engineer, you will be responsible forvalidating new silicon devices and ensuring their successful transition fromdesign to production. This role involves developing and executing post-siliconvalidation plans, resolving complex hardware and software issues, and buildingrobust test infrastructures. You will collaborate closely with cross-functionalteams—including design, product engineering, and manufacturing—to analyzeperformance data, provide actionable feedback, and drive continuousimprovement. Strong technical expertise in RF/microwave systems, testmethodologies, and scripting for automation is essential, along with excellentproblem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Post-Silicon Validation:Develop andexecute validation plans for new silicon devices. Performfunctional, electrical, and performance testing on prototype chips.
  


• Debug and Issue Resolution:Identify,analyze, and resolve silicon issues using lab equipment (oscilloscopes,vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, etc). Work closelywith design, verification, and test teams to root-cause failures.
  


• Test Infrastructure Development:Createautomated test scripts and frameworks (Python, VBA, etc). Develophardware setups for validation (test boards, probe cards, sockets).
  


• Data Analysis and Reporting:Collect andanalyze large datasets to characterize silicon performance. Documentfindings and provide feedback to design teams for improvements.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Interface withdesign, product engineering, and manufacturing teams. Supportcustomers bring-up and field issue replication when needed.
  Othertasks will be assigned during the course of your employment.
  

Qualifications:

• BSEE or related degree Engineering. MSEE is a plus.


• Minimum 8 years as a Validation or Application Engineer in the RF/microwave semiconductor field.


• Experience with both packaged test and circuit probe is preferred.


• Ability to analyze data using sound statistical methodology and effectively present technical information.


• Experience with engineeringand quality requirements for integratedRF/Microwave assemblies.


• Strong RF/microwave test and measurement skill is highly desired.


• Strong problem solving, interpersonal, and communication skills, including written and verbal English proficiency.


• Familiarity with data analysis tools such as Python and/or JMP is a plus


• Ability to design and review printed circuit boards (PCBs) for validation platforms


• Experience in scripting (Python, VBA, etc).

The Salary Range for this position is $98,000 – $166,000. Actualsalary offered to candidate will depend on several factors, including but notlimited to, work location, relevant candidates’ experience, education, andspecific knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.


• Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan.


• Paid time off.


• Professional development opportunities.


• Free access to gym

EEO:

MACOM is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverseworkforce. MACOM will not discriminate against any worker or job applicant onthe basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, militaryservice, marital status, or any other category protected under applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation:

MACOM is committed to working with and providing reasonableaccommodations to qualified individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Ifyou have a disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation withrespect to any part of the application process, please call [phone] oremail [e-mail]. Provide your name, phone number and the position titleand location in which you are interested, and nature of accommodation needed,and we will get back to you. We also work with current employees who request orneed reasonable accommodation in order to perform the essential functions oftheir jobs.