Senior Applications Engineer

Acara•Austin, TX

17d•Hybrid

About The Position

Acara Solutions has a full-time, direct hire opening for an experienced Applications Engineer to work with our client in Austin, TX who specializes in Semiconductor Manufacturing. Schedule: Hybrid (2+ days in office) As a Senior Applications Engineer focused on Class D Amplifiers, you will play a pivotal role in enabling customers to integrate high-performance audio solutions into their products. You'll lead technical engagements, develop reference platforms, and contribute to product definition for next-generation Class D amplifier technologies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years of experience in semiconductor or audio systems.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of Class D amplifier architectures, modulation schemes (PWM, PDM), and protection mechanisms.
Experience with audio interface standards: I2S, TDM, I2C, SPI, USB, UART.
Proficient in schematic capture and PCB layout principles for high-efficiency audio systems.
Skilled in C/C++, Python or other programming language.
Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows.
Hands-on experience with lab equipment: oscilloscopes, audio analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power supplies.
Excellent communication skills for customer interaction and cross-functional collaboration.
Background in mixed-signal hardware and audio systems is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide expert-level engineering support for Client's customers and field teams, with a focus on Class D amplifier integration.
Design and develop reference platforms and evaluation boards showcasing Class D amplifier performance, including EMI mitigation and thermal optimization.
Author detailed application notes, white papers, and design guides tailored to Class D amplifier use cases.
Collaborate with layout engineers to produce high-fidelity PCB designs optimized for audio performance and efficiency.
Create advanced Python scripts and automation tools for audio performance characterization and demo control.
Conduct in-depth circuit analysis and data collection for customer applications, including THD+N, efficiency, and power delivery metrics.
Influence product definition by contributing insights from customer feedback and system-level testing.
Work closely with IC Design, Systems, and Validation teams to align design requirements with real-world use cases.
Manage multiple priorities independently and communicate project status across cross-functional teams.
Occasional travel (approx. 2 weeks/year) for customer support and technical training.