System Validation Engineer – PCB & Electro-Optics

Socket.dev; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible vacation policy

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a hands-on, lab-centric engineer to own system-level bringup and debugging of our electro-optical hardware—an intricate mix of mixed-signal ASICs, photonic modules, DSP chips, and PMICs. You will localize issues to specific subsystems and drive corrective actions.

You will lead PCB and system-level bringup from power-on through validation, perform SI/PI measurements, and develop Python automation for lab tests.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering from a top university.
• 3–6 years hands-on lab experience in PCB bringup, system validation, signal/power integrity or failure analysis.
• Strong analog circuit knowledge (bias networks, LDOs, PLLs, ADCs/DACs) with bench debugging instincts.
• Opto-electronic debug experience with optical power meters, photodetectors, spectrum analyzers.
• Python for test automation and data analysis.
• Fluent reading of schematics, layout files, and datasheets.

Responsibilities

• Lead PCB and system-level bringup, first power-on through functional validation.
• Isolate failures in complex mixed-signal systems and localize to a component or subsystem.
• Debug hardware/firmware interactions and analog circuit behavior with lab instruments.
• Perform signal integrity and power integrity measurements; identify noise and crosstalk sources.
• Drive failure analysis on prototypes and production units; implement corrective actions.
• Validate chip-to-board communication (I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO).
• Build test plans with clear pass/fail criteria and Python automation for lab and production testing.
• Support offshore manufacturing partners on assembly validation, calibration, and production test.

Skills

Lab experience

Analog circuit debugging

Python automation

Schematic reading

Data analysis

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Education

Electrical Engineering degree (BS/MS/PhD)

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

About the role

• We are seeking a Hands-on, lab-centric role owning system-level bringup and debug of our electro-optical hardware – a complex system of mixed-signal ASICs, photonic modules, DSP chips, and power management ICs. Your core strength: methodically isolating problems and localizing them to a specific component or subsystem. Potential to grow into a module lead role.

What you'll do

• Lead PCB and system-level bringup, first power-on through functional validation

• Isolate failures in a complex system of mixed-signal ASICs, photonics, DSP chips, and power management ICs, localizing each issue to a specific component or subsystem

• Debug hardware/firmware interactions and analog circuit behavior using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers

• Perform signal integrity and power integrity measurements; localize sources of noise and cross-talk

• Drive failure analysis on prototype and production units; turn findings into corrective actions

• Validate chip-to-board communication (I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO)

• Build test plans with clear pass/fail criteria and Python automation for lab and production testing

• Support offshore manufacturing partners on assembly validation, calibration, and production test

Required Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering from a top research university

• 3–6 years of hands-on lab experience in PCB bringup, system validation, signal/power integrity, or failure analysis

• Solid analog circuit knowledge – bias networks, LDOs, PLLs, ADCs/DACs, mixed-signal interfaces – and the instincts to debug them at the bench

• Opto-electronic debug experience: optical power meters, photodetectors, spectrum analyzers

• Python for test automation and data analysis

• Fluent reading schematics, layout files, and datasheets

Preferred Qualifications

• Board-level work with SiP or ASIC platforms

• FPGA-based emulation platforms (Palladium, Zebu, VCS)

• Reliability testing (thermal cycling, HALT, HASS); taking products into mass production

Benefits (subject to location and local regulations)

• Competitive salary and equity

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Flexible vacation and time-off policy

• Collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work environment

• Opportunity to work oncutting-edgetechnologies with a highly cross-functional team