Senior Characterisation Engineer

Location: GBR - Bristol

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Our Team:
Semtech’s Characterisation Engineering team drives the development, execution, and optimisation of high-speed analog and optical semiconductor products.

Our engineers design and implement cutting-edge test benches, analyse complex data, and provide critical insights that directly impact product performance and reliability.

The team thrives on collaboration across local and global sites, fostering an environment of mentorship, technical growth, and innovation where every engineer has the opportunity to make a measurable impact.

Job Summary:
The Senior Characterisation Engineer is responsible for planning, executing, and optimising the characterisation of new and existing high-speed analog semiconductor products. This role involves hands-on work with test equipment, PCB hardware, automation solutions, and data analysis.

The Senior Characterisation Engineer contributes to process and tool development, mentors junior team members, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet stringent performance, reliability, and quality standards.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, review, and execute characterisation plans and reports, schedules, and hardware requirements for assigned NPI products, analysing results in real time and generating comprehensive data sets and reports.
• Define, integrate, and implement product-specific optical and electrical characterisation test benches, bringing together test equipment, PCB hardware, software, and fixtures as required.
• Develop and maintain reliable automation solutions using Python, VISA, and data processing tools to streamline testing and data analysis.
• Work closely with local and global teams to coordinate testing, review results, debug issues, and implement solutions using a strong foundation in electronics and signal integrity.
• Contribute to Python automation and the team’s characterisation repository, improving automated test methods, equipment classes, and post-processing techniques.
• Drive continuous improvement in product quality through signal integrity analysis and the adoption of AI tools to enhance engineering efficiency.
• Actively develop personal skills and technical knowledge in areas such as new test equipment, electronics, signal integrity, automation, standards, packaging, and internal tools and processes.
• Mentor and support junior or less experienced team members, sharing knowledge and helping to develop the team’s technical capability.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• 5–10 years of relevant experience in high-speed analog silicon testing or semiconductor characterisation
• Strong understanding of signal integrity testing and high-frequency PCB fundamentals
• Hands-on experience working in a laboratory environment with advanced test equipment
• Experience generating and analysing large, complex data sets
• Proficiency in Python or similar languages for automation and data processing
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic R&D environment
• Excellent analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration abilities
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of learning independently

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience using AI tools in laboratory workflows or test automation
• Exposure to optical characterisation or mixed-signal silicon products
• Prior mentoring or technical leadership experience
• Familiarity with global cross-site engineering collaboration and reporting processes

Career Growth Philosophy:
At Semtech, we believe that innovation starts with people. You’ll have access to mentorship, continuous learning resources, and a collaborative, idea-rich engineering environment designed to expand your influence and deepen your expertise.

Our pay-for-performance culture rewards initiative, encourages professional growth, and recognises meaningful technical contributions. Engineers in this role are supported to shape both their career progression and the future of Semtech’s high-speed analog and optical engineering capabilities.

Additional Notes:
The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically included in this description. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.