SerDes Characterization Engineer, Platforms

Google LLC; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Google LLC is seeking a SerDes Characterization Engineer, Platforms in Sunnyvale, CA, to lead electrical characterization and validation of high-speed SerDes interfaces within the Platforms Infrastructure Engineering team.

You will operate advanced lab benches and run automated test frameworks to explore voltage, temperature, and process corners, triage anomalies, and document results for cross-functional engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 2 years of experience in a hardware laboratory environment working with test instrumentation (oscilloscopes, bit error rate tests (BERTs), or power supplies).
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python) for test automation or data processing.

Responsibilities

• Execute electrical characterization and validation test plans for high-speed SerDes interfaces in the laboratory.
• Operate lab test benches consisting of high bandwidth oscilloscopes, BERTs, temperature chambers, logic analyzers, and precision power supplies.
• Run automated test frameworks to perform extensive parametric sweeps across voltage, temperature, and process corners (PVT).
• Triage measurement failures and anomalies, perform basic root cause analysis, and assist executive engineers with in-depth debugging.
• Maintain laboratory test setups, calibrate test equipment, verify RF cable/fixture integrity, and track hardware assets. Summarize, document, and present structured measurement results and trend charts to the broader engineering team.

Skills

Test instrumentation experience

Python scripting for test automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer/Electrical Physics or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

BERTs

Power supplies

Logic analyzers

Job description

SerDes Characterization Engineer, Platforms

corporate_fare Google place Sunnyvale, CA, USA

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 2 years of experience in a hardware laboratory environment working with test instrumentation (oscilloscopes, bit error rate tests (BERTs), or power supplies).
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python) for test automation or data processing.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience with automated test execution and lab instrument communication protocols (SCPI, GPIB, Ethernet/USB).
• Familiarity with SerDes concepts (modulation scheme, eye diagrams, jitter, BER) and basic signal integrity fundamentals.
• Excellent collaborative mindset and willingness to learn advanced characterization methodologies.
• Strong laboratory discipline with meticulous attention to detail in measurement accuracy and test documentation.

About the job

Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration.

In this role, within the Platforms Infrastructure Engineering team, you will be at the center of Google's hardware validation efforts. You will spend your time in the laboratory executing electrical characterization and validation test plans for high-speed Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) interfaces. Our team heavily relies on operating complex test benches and running automated test frameworks to perform extensive parametric sweeps across voltage, temperature, and process corners (PVT).

In this collaborative environment, you will play a crucial role in triaging measurement anomalies, maintaining laboratory test setups, and presenting structured measurement results to the broader engineering team. Our Platforms Infrastructure Engineering team designs and builds the hardware and software technologies that power all of Google's services. Our computational challenges are complex and unique, enabled by cutting-edge custom hardware designed and made in-house. As a hardware engineer, you will design and build the systems that are the heart of the world's largest and most powerful computing infrastructure. You will see those systems from concept all the way through to high-volume manufacturing. Your work has the potential to shape the machinery that goes into our data centers, affecting millions of Google users.

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

US: $132000 - $189000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Execute electrical characterization and validation test plans for high-speed SerDes interfaces in the laboratory.
• Operate lab test benches consisting of high bandwidth oscilloscopes, BERTs, temperature chambers, logic analyzers, and precision power supplies.
• Run automated test frameworks to perform extensive parametric sweeps across voltage, temperature, and process corners (PVT).
• Triage measurement failures and anomalies, perform basic root cause analysis, and assist executive engineers with in-depth debugging.
• Maintain laboratory test setups, calibrate test equipment, verify RF cable/fixture integrity, and track hardware assets. Summarize, document, and present structured measurement results and trend charts to the broader engineering team.

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 .

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.

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.