Senior SerDes Characterization Engineer, Platforms

Google; Town of Montana (WI); On-site; USD 159,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Google's Platforms team seeks a Senior SerDes Characterization Engineer to own TX/RX characterization and compliance testing across next-generation compute and networking platforms.

You will define automated test suites using high-performance oscilloscopes, analyze metrics (SNR, jitter, eye, transition time), and collaborate with PHY designers to optimize transmitter drive settings. Based in Sunnyvale, CA.

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience in high-speed electrical characterization, SerDes validation, or physical layer testing.
• Experience with high-speed TX characterization and advanced test instrumentation.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Own transmitter (TX) and receiver characterization and compliance testing for Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) interfaces across next generation compute and networking platforms.
• Execute detailed TX physical layer metrics analysis, including SNR, jitter, eye, transition time, and pulse response measurements; ensure test compliance with IEEE 802.3, OIF-CEI, and other specs.
• Define and deploy automated test suites utilizing high performance real time and equivalent time oscilloscopes, phase noise analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
• Partner with PHY design and signal integrity engineers to evaluate TX FIR filter presets and correlate silicon behavior with pre-silicon models.
• Develop robust data processing pipelines and visualization dashboards to report silicon health and parametric distributions.

Skills

SerDes characterization

TX/RX validation

High-speed testing

Test instrumentation

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

DCA

Real-time scopes

Spectrum analyzers

Python

MATLAB

C++

Job description

Senior SerDes Characterization Engineer, Platforms

Location

Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Experience Level

Mid

Experience driving progress, solving problems, and mentoring more junior team members; deeper expertise and applied knowledge within relevant area.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience in high-speed electrical characterization, SerDes validation, or physical layer testing.
• Experience with high-speed TX characterization and advanced test instrumentation (e.g., DCA, real-time scopes, spectrum analyzers).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience with SerDes TX compliance testing and high-speed signal integrity principles.
• Understanding of SerDes IO circuits, high-speed channel S-parameters, fixture de-embedding techniques, and transmission line theory.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or C++ for automated instrument control (VISA, SCPI) and data extraction.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work independently in a fast-moving lab environment.

About the Job

Our platforms team designs and builds the hardware, software, and networking technologies that power all of Google's services. In this role, you will design and build the systems that are the heart of the computing infrastructure. You will develop from the lowest levels of circuit design to system design and see those systems all the way through to manufacturing. Your work has the potential to shape the machinery that goes into our data centers affecting Google users.

As a member of the team, you will manage projects in multiple areas. You will also monitor the performance of vendors working on projects and evaluate new technologies.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what's possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.

We're the driving team behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting‑edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world‑leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US Salary Range: $159,000 - $230,000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Own transmitter (TX) and receiver characterization and compliance testing for Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) interfaces across next generation compute and networking platforms.
• Execute detailed TX physical layer metrics analysis, including Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion Ratio, jitter decomposition, eye linearity, transition time, and pulse response measurements. Ensure test compliance against applicable IEEE 802.3, OIF-CEI, and proprietary high speed interconnect specifications.
• Define and deploy automated test suites utilizing high performance real time and equivalent time (sampling/DCA) oscilloscopes, phase noise analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
• Partner with Physical Layer (PHY) design and signal integrity engineers to evaluate TX FIR filter presets, correlate silicon behavior against pre-silicon models, and optimize transmitter drive settings.
• Develop robust data processing pipelines and visualization dashboards to report silicon health and parametric distributions.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law.

See also Google's EEO Policy, Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal, Belonging at Google, and How we hire.

If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes.

Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location.

Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants.

GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement.

They have no impact on statutory payments.

Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.

Locations

• Sunnyvale, CA, USA