Manager Of Validation & Characterization Engineering

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid)

For over four decades, Cirrus Logic has been propelled by the top engineers in mixed-signal processing. Our rockstar team thrives on solving complex challenges with innovative end-user solutions for the world's top consumer brands. Cirrus Logic is also known for its award-winning culture, built on a foundation of inclusion and fairness, meaningful community engagement, and delivering enjoyable employee experiences at every turn. But we couldn't do it without our extraordinary workforce - and that's where you come in. Join our team and help us continue to make Cirrus Logic an exceptional place to grow your career!

As a Validation & Characterization Engineering Manager, you will lead, develop, and mentor a team of engineers responsible for specification-based validation, characterization, and production test correlation for mixed-signal ICs. This role supports a broad portfolio of high-performance mixed-signal products across consumer and mobile applications, ensuring robust silicon performance from first silicon through high-volume production.

You will play a critical role in driving validation execution, measurement rigor, and data-driven decision-making, working closely with IC design, systems, and product test teams to deliver production-ready solutions.

Responsibilities

Build, lead, and scale a team of validation and characterization engineers supporting multiple product lines.

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across specification-based validation, characterization, and silicon debug.
• Drive execution of validation plans to ensure comprehensive specification coverage, margin analysis, and traceability.
• Establish best practices for test methodology, measurement accuracy, and experimental design, ensuring high-quality and repeatable results.
• Partner closely with Product Test Engineering to ensure strong correlation between lab validation results and ATE measurements, including definition of test limits, guard-bands, and production readiness.
• Define and track KPIs and metrics to improve validation efficiency, coverage, and data quality.
• Guide the team in analyzing large and complex datasets, extracting meaningful insights, and making data-driven decisions.
• Lead debugging of complex silicon, system, and measurement issues, including cross-domain interactions (analog, digital, and test infrastructure).
• Collaborate with IC design, systems, applications, and product test teams to resolve issues and align on requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement of validation methodologies, automation frameworks, and data analysis workflows.
• Ensure clear and consistent communication of technical status, risks, and execution plans to cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and development of engineers across multiple experience levels.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and data-driven engineering within the team.

Requirements / Qualifications

BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering with 7+ years of relevant experience in validation, characterization, or production test, including 2+ years of people management experience.

• Strong technical background in mixed-signal IC validation and characterization, including audio and/or power management devices.
• Deep understanding of test and measurement techniques, including error sources, calibration, accuracy, and repeatability.
• Experience designing and executing experiments for performance characterization, including corner analysis, margining, and statistical evaluation.
• Proven experience with data analysis and interpretation, including large dataset handling and use of tools such as JMP, Spotfire, or Excel.
• Experience supporting or partnering with production test engineering, including test correlation, guardbanding, and yield analysis.
• Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, signal generators, audio analyzers, power measurement equipment, PXI systems).
• Experience with automation and scripting (Python preferred) and validation/test infrastructure development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, mentor engineers, and drive execution across multiple projects.
• Strong problem-solving and debug skills across silicon behavior, measurement systems, and test environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence across cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills / Abilities:

• Experience with audio IC validation (CODECs, amplifiers) and/or power management ICs (LDOs, SMPSs, battery charging).
• Familiarity with ATE platforms and high-volume manufacturing test flows.
• Experience defining validation methodologies, measurement standards, or data analysis best practices across teams.
• Background in PCB design, signal integrity, power integrity, or low-noise measurement techniques.
• Experience with statistical analysis methods for characterization and production correlation.
• Prior experience leading teams through product ramp and production release.