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, guard banding, 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…