Principal Engineer, RF Power Amplifier Architect

Murata America•Arlington Heights, IL

About The Position

This position is responsible for the leadership and design of advanced RF power amplifier platforms for cellular and Wi-Fi front end applications. The individual will focus on the research and development of power amplifiers in various frequency bands using multiple semiconductor processes including SOI and GaAs. The individual will work both independently and with the team to develop power amplifier techniques and architectures that demonstrate high performance, low cost APT and ET front end solutions. This role will work closely with pSemi and Murata management to further our front-end power amplifier capabilities and expertise. The individual will work in a highly focused research team, to determine novel architectures, circuits, devices and methods for implementation of high-performance RF Power Amplifiers and transmit chains. The successful individual will have strong understanding of advanced RF/mmWave power amplifiers for next generation cellular and 5G NR applications and must have a strong understanding of RFIC circuit design and the ability to coordinate activities necessary to complete major projects, requiring a wide variety of technical skills. The individual must have demonstrated experience in developing novel RF PA products, RFIC design, test and mass production product releases. The individual will join a team of senior technologists responsible for driving our long-term architectural roadmap, building proof-of-concept prototypes, and ultimately developing successful technologies into high-volume products.

Requirements

Typically, 15+ years of RF FEM product development with strong technical skills including:
More than 5 years of direct experience with GaAs-based power amplifier product development.
At least 5 years of advanced development or research experience directly related to mobile power amplifiers and/or transmitters.
Detailed knowledge and experience with design of envelope tracking (ET) PA for mobile applications.
Direct hands-on experience with the design of highly efficient and linear power amplifiers operating between 600 MHz and 20 GHz.
Deep understanding of technical principles of power amplifier operation and design.
Experience with transistor level IC design and layout in at least multiple technology nodes including:
GaAs HBT, CMOS-SOI, SiGe, GaN
Understanding of the comparative advantage and tradeoffs between the different processes
Good WIFI and/or cellular standard system knowledge and key performance metrics.
Knowledge of IC fabrication and how it impacts circuit performance.
Good understanding of non-linear effects in transistors.
Knowledge of basic analog bias and control circuits and their impact on overall RF system
Experience with EM (Electromagnetic) modelling of high frequency RFIC’s and PCB’s
Familiarity with analog & RF IC layout techniques
Extensive IC Tape-out experience
Strong experience in design, debug and optimization of RFICs in the lab using standard lab equipment
Hands on use of RF measurement equipment to validate and correlate performance metrics such as ACP/ACLR, EVM, IP3, NF and gain
Software tools: Virtuoso, Cadence Spectre, Keysight ADS, EM software, Matlab, JMP
Strength in documentation clarity and completeness
Ability to clearly assess and manage risk
Strong ability to collaborate in a group and cross-functional team environment with a strong sense of urgency to meet product requirements on schedule

Responsibilities

Develop novel architectures, circuits, devices and methods for implementation of high-performance RF Power Amplifiers and transmit chains using co-design and co-simulation of active and passive circuitry.
Be company-wide technical authority on RF Power Amplifiers.
Drive company-level R&D investment strategy, portfolio prioritization, and executive technical decision support for RF Power Amplifiers.
Technical leadership of advanced RF power amplifier platforms for cellular and Wifi front end applications.
Driving advanced power amplifier design using multiple process technologies and supply modulations including envelope tracking.
Collaborate with multiple technical teams across pSemi and Murata on PA technologies.
Participate with other key stakeholders and suppliers to drive our long-term architectural roadmap for PA platforms.
Technically execute PA research, building proof-of-concept prototypes, and developing successful technologies into high-volume products.
Demonstrate technical leadership and provide guidance to push the boundaries of pSemi and Murata existing technology, directing future efforts regarding tools, technology, performance, and cost optimization.
Mentoring Senior Staff and Staff Engineers.
Product Documentation: Document all relevant product and design information to educate others on novel design techniques and provide guidance on product usage.
Product Characterization: Work with Characterization and Test Engineers to define, conduct and analyze data from product performance characterization.
Production ATE Development: Work with Test Engineers to define, develop and ramp production ATE solutions.
Product Support: Work with Product, Test and Manufacturing Engineers to help assess field failures, support yield improvements, failure analysis, etc.