Systems Engineering Analog IC Validation

Broadcom•Colorado Springs, CO

About The Position

The Analog IC Validation team is responsible for defining, developing, and utilizing tests and procedures to ensure that the products designed by Broadcom meet all applicable industry standards and perform as expected in their intended applications. Analog IC Validation engineers work with the other engineering departments (Analog designers, hardware, and software) to validate and debug new products in a lab environment. This team is continually working with state-of-the-art test equipment on leading-edge storage silicon, developing tests for an ever-evolving high-speed serial industry. In general, the Analog Systems Engineer is involved with the product from the beginning. We work closely with analog and digital designers to define the HW test features needed to properly test our products to the relevant specifications. While in the design phase, the engineers are involved in evaluating and selecting test equipment. Early pre-silicon work may involve developing tests and automation code utilizing test chips. Validation of our products requires a multitude of setup changes and is a combination of manual and automated tests. Good debug skills and attention to detail are a must when validating signals at the data rate utilized by our parts. Once the validation is complete, we support customer bring up and help to debug any issues they may encounter.

Requirements

Legal authorization to work in the US
Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering
8+ yrs experience
A solid understanding of transmission line theory and high-speed I/O operation
Some experience with the sources of jitter and EMI.
Experience with the use of VNAs, TDRs, spectrum analyzers, and real-time oscilloscopes
Ability to write and debug programs written in Python with some experience in C and MATLAB
Experience developing/debugging automated test scripts, preferably in Python
Experience running Analog simulation tools like SPICE or ADS with IBIS-AMI models
Solid understanding of computer architecture and system-level operation/execution
Practical experience in system-level debug with good problem-solving skills
Ability to quickly learn new technologies
Good communication skills, including verbal, presentation, and documentation skills
Work well in a team and as an individual

Responsibilities

Architect characterization procedures and tests geared towards ensuring compliance with SAS, SATA, PCIe, NVMe, DDR4, and ONFI standards.
Review and execute robust validation test plans on prototype silicon
Work in parallel with Firmware development, High-speed I/O designers, and Digital IC design teams as part of the pre/post-silicon validation process
Develop Python scripts to control test equipment and automate various validation tasks
Develop host software tools and applications for low-level system validation
Develop SI simulation models for customer consumption
Work with the board development team to define evaluation board test features
Partner with the board development team to identify and resolve signal quality issues associated with the layout of evaluation and production cards
Support design partner bring up and resolve SI-related customer issues
Drive technical debug and resolution of issues encountered at the system level.
Propose creative workarounds and implement solutions to complex problems.
Effectively present technical information to teams of engineers.
Educate Field Application Engineers (FAEs) on new product features and operation
Work with the Technical Publications group on engineering notes, data sheets, and architectural manuals