The Principal Applications Engineer collaborates with internal teams to enhance customer adoption of SerDes solutions, ensures successful system design, and provides technical support and guidelines.
Locations available: San Diego and San Jose, California or Austin, Texas
Job Description:
NXP’s SerDes Networking Solution (SNS) team delivers open-standard Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA) Motion Link multi-Gigabit connectivity for next-generation sensors and vehicle displays. As part of the Applications Engineering team, you will work with both internal engineering teams to develop collaterals to ease customer adoption of our SerDes solutions, as well as with NXP’s field teams and customer engineering teams to ensure successful system design and bring-up.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with IC design, systems, FW, and test teams to translate field issues and customer requirements into product improvements and new features.
- Review customer schematics and layouts for signal‑integrity and power‑integrity best practices (impedance control, terminations, return paths, via design, reference plane strategy).
- Lead board‑level bring‑up and validation using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers; generate test reports and recommendations.
- Provide on‑site or remote debug support for complex customer issues.
- Develop and maintain application collateral: reference designs, layout guidelines, design checklists, characterization reports, application notes, training materials.
- Participate in trade shows and provide FAE training
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or above in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related field.
- Extensive experience (12+ years) in hardware design, applications engineering, or system validation.
- Familiarity with high-speed data communication protocols and interfaces, including Ethernet networking and switching, MIPI CSI-2, and display protocols (DP/eDP)
- Strong understanding of high‑speed SerDes fundamentals: channel loss, reflections, return loss, insertion loss, ISI, jitter, equalization, and clocking.
- Demonstrated experience with multi‑Gbps serial links (e.g., Ethernet, PCIe, DP, USB3.x/USB4, proprietary SerDes).
- Proficiency with SI/PI tools and simulations (e.g., S‑parameter analysis, eye/jitter simulations) and comfort interpreting simulation and measurement correlation.
- Hands‑on experience using lab equipment: high‑bandwidth oscilloscopes, TDR, VNA, BERT, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and related tools.
- Strong skills in PCB design for high‑speed: layer stack‑up, routing constraints, differential pairs, reference planes, decoupling, and power delivery.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills to explain complex technical topics to both expert and non‑expert audiences. ⁽⁵⁾
- Ability to work effectively with global, cross‑functional teams (design, systems, test, marketing, field).
More information about NXP in the United States...
NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.
#LI-6aa0Similar Jobs
Semiconductor
The Principal Applications Engineer focuses on product development and customer support by creating solutions, guides, and conducting competitor analysis while engaging with customers across multiple markets.
Top Skills:
Altium DesignerAnalog IcsElectrical Engineering
Healthtech • Other • Biotech
The Principal Applications Developer will lead Salesforce and MuleSoft application development, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure high-quality, scalable solutions. Responsibilities include designing complex Salesforce applications, implementing integrations, and mentoring junior developers.
Top Skills:
ApexCi/CdGitLightning Web ComponentsMulesoftSalesforceSQL Server
Artificial Intelligence • Internet of Things • Semiconductor
As a Principal Performance Applications Engineer, you'll guide partners in performance debugging and optimization, engage with Arm's tools, and develop training on SoC and performance tooling.
Top Skills:
CC++Linux
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center
