Applications Engineer - Force Sensors

Location: San Jose, CA - Hybrid (4 days in office, Friday remote)

Background

Semtech's force sensing solutions eliminate the design compromises inherent in traditional mechanical buttons and capacitive touch, delivering sealed, material-agnostic interfaces that enhance both user experience and product reliability.

In this role, you will be working closely with our mechanical, electrical, and software teams to integrate our sensing products into our customers’ electronic devices. You will collaborate with various OEMs on next generation products, including laptops, mobile phones, automotive steering wheels & smart surfaces, fitness trackers, and industrial display panels.

Your core responsibilities include preparing schematic designs, PCB layouts, Gerber files, bill of materials, and fabrication notes. You will debug electrical issues on fabricated test boards, modules and prototypes, while managing vendors to ensure on-time delivery of the designed boards and modules. Additionally, you will work closely with R&D team to perform bench level verification of the new chips and resolve system level issues for both internal and external customers.

Your tasks can also vary from electrical design, mechanical design, and firmware integration. You will experience the entire product lifecycle from concept design and proof-of-concept builds through mass production.

Opportunities for traveling to customer headquarters in Asia and Europe are available. This position offers the chance to collaborate with MEMS and CMOS designers, contributing to continuous improvements across our product portfolio. This is a fast-paced role requiring engineers who are eager to learn and thrive in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities:

• Design and Development: Propose and implement innovative solutions for customers particularly in mechanical, electrical, software integration and algorithm development; develop and build proof-of-concept demos and prototypes; perform electrical design, PCB layout & fabrication, and electrical component souring; conduct debugging and hardware bring-up of solutions of targeted applications; support R&D test & evaluation board design & fabrication; manage PCB vendors.    

• Customer Support and Engagement: Manage customer evaluation kits and sensor modules design and fabrication; promote cutting-edge HMI sensor solution; provide multidisciplinary technical support (hardware, firmware and mechanical) to customers from concept to mass production.

• Test and Characterization: Work closely with the R&D team on sensor-level and system-level test and characterization; conduct competitor analysis and failure analysis.

• Technical Documentation and Training: Provide product training to customers, sales and FAEs; create technical documentation including datasheets, application notes, design guides, and white papers.

• Collaboration: Collect customer feedback and requests, liaise with marketing and R&D to drive continuous improvements, shape roadmaps, and develop new technologies.

• Industry engagement: Stay current with the latest advancements in consumer electronics and related industries

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in electronic design, spanning proof-of-concept through mass production

• Proficiency with Altium, Cadence, or Siemens for schematic capture and PCB layout with multiple boards fabricated.

• Hands-on experience in analog / mixed-signal circuitry

• Hands on experience in one more of the following areas (ADCs, sensor, embedded system design, firmware development, sensor signal postprocess, and/or I2C/SPI communication interfaces)

• Proficiency in at least one of the following languages: C/C++, Python.   

• Familiarity with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum Analyzer, digital analyzer, multimeter, solder iron, etc.

• Experience in technical writing for electronic devices, encompassing hardware, software, and mechanical systems.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.).     

• Soft skills:

  • Self-motivated, results-oriented, and enthusiastic with a commitment to achieving business objectives

  • Detail-oriented with a hands-on approach

  • Strong communication and presentation skills to engage with customers and collaborate efficiently with diverse stakeholders  

  • Customer-centric work ethic   

  • Team player with a strong drive to meet project schedules

  • Effective time management skills  

• International and domestic travel required (up to 10%)

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field required

Desired Qualifications:

• Algorithm development experience   

• Experience in the Semiconductor and Automotive industries

• Experience with AI/ML tools such as Claude

The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically included in this description.

All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.

A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is USD $100,000 - $163,000.  There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base salary, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education and experience, as well as job location and the value of other elements of an employee’s total compensation package.

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