SerDes Characterization Engineer, Platforms

Socket.dev; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Google's Platforms Infrastructure Engineering team is seeking a hardware engineer to lead electrical characterization of high-speed SerDes interfaces in state-of-the-art lab environments.

You will develop and execute validation plans, manage test benches, and push for precise measurement documentation that informs broader engineering decisions.

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 with high-speed test instrumentation (oscilloscopes, 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 complex lab test benches consisting of high bandwidth oscilloscopes, BERTs, temperature chambers, logic analyzers, and precision power supplies.
• Run automated test frameworks to perform parametric sweeps across voltage, temperature, and process corners (PVT).
• Triage measurement failures and anomalies, perform basic root cause analysis, and assist engineers with debugging.
• Maintain laboratory test setups, calibrate test equipment, verify RF cable/fixture integrity, and present structured results and trends.

Skills

Python

Lab testing

High-speed SerDes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related

Tools

Oscilloscopes

BERTs

Power supplies

Job description

Minimum 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 high-speed test instrumentation (oscilloscopes, 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 eagerness 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.

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 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 cutting-edge 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.

Responsibilities:

• Execute electrical characterization and validation test plans for high-speed SerDes interfaces in the laboratory.
  
• Operate complex 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.