ASIC Characterization Engineer, Silicon - Sunnyvale | Amazon Job

Job Description

We are looking for a hands-on ASIC Bench Characterization Engineer to support high-volume production of millimeter wave RF Digital Beamforming (DBF) and RF front-end ASICs used in customer terminals and satellite payloads.
This is a role centered on bench-level RF characterization, with ATE correlation as a core part of the work. You will own and maintain the debug benches, characterize silicon across voltage, temperature and frequency, and use that data to resolve RMA and production issues that cannot be root-caused on a production tester. You will work closely with Product and Test Engineering, Design engineering, and OSAT partners to protect product quality, shorten RMA closure time, and qualify material and process changes.


Key job responsibilities
Bench Validation & RMA Debug
• Set up and operate RF test bench equipment including signal generators, spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers (VNA), oscilloscopes, and power meters.
• Own bench bring-up, instrument calibration schedules and measurement repeatability for the sustaining lab.
• Perform bench-level RF characterization e.g TX/RX gain, noise figure, EVM, IMRR, etc
• Correlate ATE measurements against bench data to determine whether an excursion is real silicon, a test program artifact, or a test hardware issue, and support lot hold or release decision.
• Debug RMA returns and field failures at the bench, providing root cause reports and disposition recommendations
• Validate ATE vs bench calibrations for QA failure and low yield issues.
• Support test validation of the HTOL boards.
• Support debug and qualification of load boards and probe cards, including S-parameter verification of signal paths.

Sustaining & Cross-team Collaboration
• Support knowledge transfer from NPI teams and own test programs after production transfer
• Maintain golden unit libraries and boards for production reference
• Document root cause analysis, test methodologies and drive quality improvements and provide updates to wider teams in the company.
• Participate in production readiness reviews, MBR updates, and transfer checklists

Basic Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience in semiconductor test engineering (ATE or bench)
- Hands-on experience with RF bench equipment — signal generators, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, power meters
- Familiarity with ATE platforms such as Teradyne UltraFLEX, Advantest, or similar
- Understanding of RF IC fundamentals — mixers, PLLs, amplifiers, filters, beamforming concepts
- Experience with test program debug, limit setting, and GR&R analysis
- Proficiency in Python or similar scripting language for data analysis
- Strong analytical skills with experience using data analysis tools

Preferred Qualifications:

- Master's degree or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- Experience working with cross-functional teams
- Experience with mm Wave or phased array / DBF / RFFE ASIC testing
- Experience with wafer sort and final test at OSAT facilities
- Exposure to RMA debug and failure analysis workflows
- Experience with digital ATE test development such as pattern conversion from DFT to ATE, SERDES testing is a plus

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, Sunnyvale - 213,000.00 - 287,500.00 USD annually