Sensor Test Engineer

BN Associates Inc.; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

BN Associates Inc. seeks a Sensor Test Engineer to validate sensors end-to-end for wearable platforms in Sunnyvale, CA. You will work across manufacturing, firmware, and product design to ensure performance, reliability, and production-readiness.

You will develop validation plans, model captouch sensors, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust sensor subsystems for next-generation wearables.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in sensor characterization, validation, or test development.
• Experience with FEM simulation tools - COMSOL and/or Ansys (Mechanical & Electronics Desktop).
• Proficiency with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, LCR meters, environmental chambers, data acquisition systems).
• Experience with data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar).
• Strong understanding of sensor physics (capacitive, optical, inertial).
• Experience interfacing with manufacturing or NPI teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute validation test plans for sensors integrated into wearable hardware (proximity, ambient light, IMU, captouch).
• Prototyping of new hardware/sensors.
• Characterize sensor performance across environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, mechanical stress).
• Analyze sensor data to identify discrepancies and root-cause failures.
• Define pass/fail criteria and contribute to sensor specifications.
• Build and maintain capacitive touch sensor models (FEM/analytical) to predict performance across design variations.
• Conduct captouch sensitivity, linearity, and noise characterization.
• Collaborate with firmware teams for sensor development.
• Partner with manufacturing and NPI teams to define sensor test procedures for production lines.
• Support manufacturing yield analysis and troubleshoot sensor-related production issues.
• Develop and document sensor calibration procedures for factory deployment.
• Communicate with manufacturing teams in China to troubleshoot sensor-related test fixture bring up.

Skills

Sensor characterization

Data analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Capacit touch modeling

FEM/analytical modeling

Lab instrumentation

Education

B.S./M.S. in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Physics

Tools

COMSOL

ANSYS

Oscilloscopes

LCR meters

Environmental chambers

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Exp: 4-10 years

: Look for candidates from the companies that make wearable/hearable (consumer electronics) products We are looking for a Sensor Test Engineer to join the hardware team. This role is responsible for end-to-end sensor validation, capacitive touch (captouch) modelling, and testing on next‑generation wearable platforms. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams‑including manufacturing, firmware, systems integration, and product design engineering‑to ensure sensor subsystems meet performance, reliability, and production‑readiness requirements.

Position: Sensor Test Engineer
Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Onsite)
Exp: 4-10 years
Note: Look for candidates from the companies that make wearable/hearable (consumer electronics) products

We are looking for a Sensor Test Engineer to join the hardware team. This role is responsible for end-to-end sensor validation, capacitive touch (captouch) modelling, and testing on next‑generation wearable platforms. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams‑including manufacturing, firmware, systems integration, and product design engineering‑to ensure sensor subsystems meet performance, reliability, and production‑readiness requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Sensor Validation

• Develop and execute validation test plans for sensors integrated into wearable hardware (e.g., proximity, ambient light, IMU, captouch)
• Prototyping of new hardware/sensors.
• Characterize sensor performance across environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, mechanical stress)
• Analyze data sensor data to identify discrepancies and root-cause failures
• Define pass/fail criteria and contribute to sensor specifications

Captouch Modelling & Testing

• Build and maintain capacitive touch sensor models (FEM/analytical) to predict performance across design variations
• Conduct captouch sensitivity, linearity, and noise characterization
• Collaborate with firmware teams for sensor development

Manufacturing Interface

• Previous experience in a fast-paced hardware development environment (EVT/DVT/PVT cycles) - must have
• Partner with manufacturing and NPI (New Product Introduction) teams to define sensor test procedures for production lines
• Support manufacturing yield analysis and troubleshoot sensor‑related production issues
• Develop and document sensor calibration procedures for factory deployment
• Communicate with manufacturing teams in China to troubleshoot sensor‑related test fixture bring up.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Product Design Engineers, Systems Integration Engineers, and Electrical Engineers
• Coordinate with firmware/software teams on sensor driver integration and tuning
• Provide sensor performance data and recommendations to support system‑level trade‑off decisions
• Contribute to design reviews and risk assessments

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in sensor characterization, validation, or test development
• Experience with FEM simulation tools - COMSOL and/or Ansys (Mechanical & Electronics Desktop)
• Proficiency with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, LCR meters, environmental chambers, data acquisition systems)
• Experience with data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Strong understanding of sensor physics (capacitive, optical, inertial)
• Experience interfacing with manufacturing or NPI teams

Preferred Skill

• 5+ yrs of experience.
• Experience in capacitance extraction and electrode simulation
• Familiarity with consumer electronics or wearable device development
• Experience with embedded systems and sensor firmware debugging
• Knowledge of touch controller ICs (CSD/CSX sensing methods) and their configuration/tuning
• Strong communication skills for cross-site and cross-functional collaboration