Principal Test Engineer - RF & Microwave

Company Overview:

MACOM designs and manufactures semiconductor products for Data Center, Telecommunication, and Industrial and Defense applications. Headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts, MACOM has design centers and sales offices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. MACOM is certified to the ISO
9001 international quality standard and ISO
14001 environmental management standard. MACOM has more than 75 years of application expertise with multiple design centers, Si, GaAs, and InP fabrication, manufacturing, assembly, and test, and operational facilities throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.  to view our facilities.  In addition, MACOM offers foundry services that represent a key core competency within our business. MACOM sells and distributes products globally via a sales channel comprised of a direct field sales force, authorized sales representatives, and leading industry distributors.

Our sales team is trained across all of our products to give our customers insights into our entire portfolio.

As a Silicon Validation Engineer, you will be responsible for validating new silicon devices and ensuring their successful transition from design to production. This role involves developing and executing post-silicon validation plans, resolving complex hardware and software issues, and building robust test infrastructures. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including design, product engineering, and manufacturing—to analyze performance data, provide actionable feedback, and drive continuous improvement.

Strong technical expertise in RF/microwave systems, test methodologies, and scripting for automation is essential, along with excellent problem‑solving and communication skills.

• Post‑Silicon Validation: Develop and execute validation plans for new silicon devices. Perform functional, electrical, and performance testing on prototype chips.
• Debug and Issue Resolution: Identify, analyze, and resolve silicon issues using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, etc). Work closely with design, verification, and test teams to root‑cause failures.
• Test Infrastructure Development: Create automated test scripts and frameworks (Python, VBA, etc). Develop hardware setups for validation (test boards, probe cards, sockets).
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect and analyze large datasets to characterize silicon performance. Document findings and provide feedback to design teams for improvements.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Interface with design, product engineering, and manufacturing teams. Support customers bring‑up and field issue replication when needed. Other tasks will be assigned during the course of your employment.

• BSEE or related degree Engineering. MSEE is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years as a Validation or Application Engineer in the RF/microwave semiconductor field.
• Experience with both packaged test and circuit probe is preferred.
• Ability to analyze data using sound statistical methodology and effectively present technical information.
• Experience with engineering and quality requirements for integrated RF/Microwave assemblies.
• Strong RF/microwave test and measurement skill is highly desired.
• Strong problem solving, interpersonal, and communication skills, including written and verbal English proficiency.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools such as Python and/or JMP is a plus.
• Ability to design and review printed circuit boards (PCBs) for validation platforms.
• Experience in scripting (Python, VBA, etc).

The Salary Range for this position is $98,000 – $166,000. Actual salary offered to candidate will depend on several factors, including but not limited to, work location, relevant candidates’ experience, education, and specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.

MACOM is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. MACOM will not discriminate against any worker or job applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military service, marital status, or any other category protected under applicable law.

MACOM is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you have a disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation with respect to any part of the application process, please call  or email  Provide your name, phone number and the position title and location in which you are interested, and nature of accommodation needed, and we will get back to you.

We also work with current employees who request or need reasonable accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of their jobs.