Senior Principal Validation Engineer, VCSEL Optical Interconnect Test Platforms

About Marvell

Marvell’s semiconductor solutions are the essential building blocks of the data infrastructure that connects our world. Across enterprise, cloud and AI, and carrier architectures, our innovative technology is enabling new possibilities. 

At Marvell, you can affect the arc of individual lives, lift the trajectory of entire industries, and fuel the transformative potential of tomorrow. For those looking to make their mark on purposeful and enduring innovation, above and beyond fleeting trends, Marvell is a place to thrive, learn, and lead. 

Your Team, Your Impact

The Hardware and Silicon Validation team in Marvell's Connectivity Business Group designs and builds the electrical and optical test platforms, benches and measurement methods used to bring up, characterize and validate Marvell's next-generation high-speed and optical interconnect products. The team is staffing a new VCSEL-based optical interconnect program that spans electro-optical chiplets and products, multiple optics vendors, and the evaluation boards, instrumentation and automated benches needed from first silicon through product tape-out.

You will work with multi-disciplinary teams (analog, DSP, digital, firmware and software, packaging, optics and PCB design) in fully equipped labs. You will be involved in complex lab testing, hardware bring-up and all facets of the prototype process, including PCB fabrication and assembly. Marvell provides high-speed analog and mixed-signal semiconductor solutions and optical interconnects for communication infrastructure and cloud data centers.

What You Can Expect

• Set the direction and plans for the program's validation, bench and test-platform strategy. Define the roles and skills needed, and drive the roadmap for instruments, benches and measurement methodology across the Italy, Vietnam, Canada and US labs.
• Design and develop electrical and optical test platforms and benches for VCSEL-based optical interconnect: define the bench architecture, select and qualify instruments, and build in calibration, automation and correlation across labs.
• Design and develop the hardware these benches and platforms need, including PCBs, evaluation and characterization boards, test fixtures, and optical and electrical adapters: requirements, schematic, stack-up, SI/PI, layout, fabrication and assembly follow-up, and bring-up, working with outsourced partners where needed.
• Develop new measurement techniques and methodologies for optical links (optical power, spectrum, eye and waveform, BER, noise and jitter, link margin) and for high-speed electrical interfaces. Evaluate new instruments and tools, and define the requirements for their purchase.
• Bring up, debug and characterize electro-optical chiplets and products with the silicon, analog, DSP and firmware teams. Define and execute validation and characterization plans from first silicon through product tape-out.
• Work with multiple optics vendors: define test requirements, qualify VCSEL, photodetector and module samples, and correlate results across vendors and sites.
• Automate benches and data flows in Python (instrument control, data collection, statistical analysis and correlation).
• Write test plans, characterization reports, bench and board design guidelines, and application collateral.
• Build the team: hire, coach and mentor engineers, and act as the technical authority and a key point of contact with optics vendors and cross-functional leadership.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering or a related field, with 15+ years of related experience (Bachelor's) or 10+ years (Master's/PhD).
• Recognized expert-level experience of high-speed electrical lab measurements: real-time and sampling oscilloscopes, BERT, VNA/TDR, AWG, spectrum analyzers, and solid lab technique.
• Recognized expert-level experience of optical lab measurements: optical power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, optical/high-speed photoreceivers, fiber handling and optical alignment.
• Bench automation in Python (instrument control over SCPI/VISA/GPIB) and data analysis (Python, MATLAB, JMP or R).
• Working knowledge of high-speed board design: reading schematics and layouts, SI/PI, transmission-line and EM fundamentals, and PCB materials, fabrication and assembly. Experience with OrCAD/Allegro or equivalent tools.
• Strong fundamentals in communication systems and in analog and digital circuits.
• Proven technical leadership: a track record of defining strategy, building and leading teams across sites, and of influencing multi-functional organizations.
• Good troubleshooting and root-cause skills. Fluent English, and ready to work with remote teams across Italy, Vietnam, Canada and the US.

Preferred:

• Experience with VCSELs, photodetectors, optical modules or electro-optical interconnect and their characterization.
• Experience with chiplet or die-to-die interfaces and with qualifying external optics suppliers.
• Knowledge of DSP communication theory and data networking physical-layer specifications.
• Experience building a lab capability or validation organization from scratch.

This role is classified as Quadro under the Contratto Collettivo Nazionale di Lavoro per i dipendenti di aziende del terziario della distribuzione e dei Servizi. Marvell is committed to equal employment opportunity and workforce inclusion. Applications from qualified candidates with disabilities and individuals belonging to protected categories under Italian Law 68/99 are encouraged to apply.

Expected Base Pay Range

73,300 - 97,700, EUR per annum

The successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location and market conditions. The expected base pay range for this role may be modified based on market conditions.

This role is eligible to participate in Marvell's bonus and equity plans, including a new hire equity grant and annual equity refreshers, ensuring you are rewarded for your contributions and remain invested in the company's long-term success.

Additional Compensation and Benefit Elements

With competitive compensation and great benefits, you will enjoy our workstyle within an environment of shared collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity. We’re dedicated to giving our people the tools and resources they need to succeed in doing work that matters, and to grow and develop with us. For additional information on what it’s like to work at Marvell, visit our Careers page.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Interview Integrity 

To support fair and authentic hiring practices, candidates are not permitted to use AI tools (such as transcription apps, real-time answer generators like ChatGPT or Copilot, or automated note-taking bots) during interviews.

These tools must not be used to record, assist with, or enhance responses in any way. Our interviews are designed to evaluate your individual experience, thought process, and communication skills in real time. Use of AI tools without prior instruction from the interviewer will result in disqualification from the hiring process.

This position may require access to technology and/or software subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, applicants must be eligible to access export-controlled information as defined under applicable law. Marvell may be required to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce and/or the U.S. Department of State. Except for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), all applicants may be subject to an export license review process prior to employment.

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