Overview
Ambiq is seeking a Staff Engineer - Validation to join our team. Ambiq's mission is to enable intelligence everywhere by delivering the lowest power semiconductor solutions. We are a leading provider of ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions based on proprietary sub- and near-threshold technologies. Our hardware and software innovations aim to deliver significant power efficiency improvements for AI at the edge. As of early 2025, we have shipped more than 270 million units worldwide.
Our teams across the US, Taiwan, China, Japan, and Singapore focus on technology innovation, customer success, collaborative problem-solving, and energy efficiency. We value growth, opportunities to work on meaningful projects, and a culture that encourages learning and impact. The edge intelligence revolution starts here.
Position Overview
The Staff Validation Hardware Design Engineer is responsible for architecting, designing, and managing the fabrication and production of printed circuit board (PCB) hardware to support internal silicon validation and characterization, automated system tools, and application boards. Responsibilities include designing board hardware schematics and PCB layouts, creating fabrication files and drawings, and managing assembly, production, and testing of the system. The candidate will develop automated software and test scripts for validating board hardware and microcontroller interoperability, and participate in other aspects of board-level silicon hardware development and silicon validation.
Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture and system design of custom ultra-low power PCB hardware used for silicon validation, automation tools, application and system evaluation, and demonstration systems
- Review board technical specifications and design details with internal engineering teams
- Create hardware system guidelines, user manuals, and other documentation
- Identify and evaluate specific board components needed to meet hardware system specifications
- PCB schematic design entry and simulation using Cadence Orcad schematic capture tools
- PCB layout design, editing, and optimization using Cadence Allegro PCB layout tools
- Create PCB bill-of-materials and manage component database content and synchronization
- Create PCB fabrication files and drawings, and review for cost and manufacturability
- Work with board fabrication and assembly manufacturers throughout the board build process
- Create test plans for board hardware system bring-up and performance characterization
- Develop software test scripts using TCL and / or Python and embedded C / C++ for automated board hardware testing
- Internal engineering team and external customer board hardware system support
- Work with the silicon design and SOC layout team to optimize BGA and CSP package ball maps and package substrate routing to ensure best performance and lowest PCB manufacturing cost
- Verify board hardware meets compliance standards (USB, MIPI display, Bluetooth LE, and other wireless protocols)
- Perform PCB test routes for high-density BGA and CSP SOCs with integrated power converters, high-performance analog, RF, and high-speed digital interfaces
- Support internal engineering teams and application engineers with MCU hardware system integration
- Assist with silicon hardware validation and characterization efforts
Qualifications
BS or MS in Electrical Engineering with 7+ years of experience designing printed circuit board hardware to support silicon validation, evaluation / demonstration systems, factory automation, ultra-low power battery powered devices, and / or related hardware equipment2+ years of embedded microcontroller software coding experience in C / C++2+ years of software scripting experience using TCL, shell, and / or Python in a Linux OS environmentAnalog, digital, power supply, and FPGA board hardware design and development experience for microcontroller / SOC automated validation equipmentFPGA board-level hardware design and Verilog code developmentExperience working with ARM microcontrollers or DSPs with complex analog, digital, and RF integrationWorking knowledge of analog audio hardware interfaces, filters, amplifiers, and power suppliesExperience working in a lab with digital, analog audio, and RF electrical test and performance measurement equipmentExperience using Cadence Orcad for schematic capture and Cadence Allegro for PCB layout to design and simulate multilayer HDI interconnect PCBsIn-depth understanding of PCB layout, fabrication, and material requirements to meet design goals for trace impedance, signal integrity, power loss, shielding, cost, and manufacturabilityAbility to debug and resolve complex board hardware issues related to analog and RF performance, power management, ESD, and radiated emissionsExperience using IBIS, PSPICE, and Allegro PCB simulation tools is a plusExperience designing ultra-low power measurement equipment is a plusWhat You Need
We are seeking passionate technologists who thrive on solving complex challenges and driving transformative solutions. If you are a self-motivated, creative problem-solver eager to push technological limits and impact energy efficiency, this is your opportunity to grow and turn groundbreaking ideas into reality. Ambiq values relentless innovation, customer-centric thinking, and continuous learning.
Key values include : Innovate, Collaborate, Focus, Learn, and Achieve, with the goal of delivering high-quality outcomes and customer-focused results.
Seniority and Employment Type
Seniority level : Mid-Senior levelEmployment type : Full-timeJob Function and Industry
Job function : Quality AssuranceIndustries : Semiconductor ManufacturingJ-18808-Ljbffr