Sr Signal Integrity Engineer II

At Starkey, we are in the business of connecting people and changing lives. As a world leader in the manufacturing and delivering of advanced hearing solutions, we go to work each day to ensure every person on the planet has the opportunity to hear their very best. Founded in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems.

Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Starkey has more than 5,000 employees globally, operates 29+ facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide.

Here's a video about the people behind Starkey's groundbreaking innovation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjhRQ7qzlI0

JOB SUMMARY DESCRIPTION / PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB

This position is for an electrical engineer focused on modeling and simulation in the areas of signal and power integrity as they apply to the development and layout of state of the art and high density flexible, rigid, and hybrid printed circuit boards (PCBs) for hearing aids and hearing aid accessories. The design platforms include ultra-high performance digital signal processing (DSP), ultra-low power consumption, micro-miniature PCB assemblies, high quality audio, and various RF communication systems. This position requires working closely with design layout, mechanical, electroacoustic, component, systems, quality, and wireless engineers to make design decisions and engineering trade-offs that will produce high quality hearing aids and accessories. The main goal of this position and all positions at Starkey is to be better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today, so that the world may hear.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/RESULTS

Conduct Signal Integrity and Power Integrity (SiPi) Analysis and Simulations:

• Execute and analyze simulations for products worked on by EA Engineering, including but not limited to:
  
  
  
  • Signal Integrity: Maxwell tool, Crosstalk, Timing, Line Impedance, Noise budgets, Ground bounce, etc.
  • Power Integrity: Power Distribution analysis, IR Drop analysis, Capacitor selection, System I/F I/V analysis, etc.
  
  
  
  
• Validate Simulation and Analysis results via hardware lab measurement and characterization
• Document results and findings, review conclusions with EA PD, update design guidelines when necessary

Create Models for Signal Integrity and Power Integrity simulations:

• Create models for simulations from all feasible sources, including but not limited to:
  
  
  
  • Templates imported from external/3rd party sources; Developed from scratch by using component's datasheet; Developed from scratch by basing on lab measurements; Construction analysis; etc.
  
  
  
  
• Validate Models via hardware lab measurement and characterization
• Catalog, maintain, and upkeep libraries of various Models

Support and ensure success of EA Product Development (PD) Engineering

• Provide simulation/analysis support and relate guidelines surrounding SiPi design throughout PD projects' milestones
• Assist in analysis and design guidelines creation of new and existing chips/components
• Support failure analysis efforts for products, and provide design recommendations based on findings

Support and ensure Success of Micro Electronics Design (MED)

• Working with EA Engineers assist and influence circuit layout/design with knowledge from Signal/Power Integrity
• Create/update design rules and constraints for layout, placement, and fabrication of circuit boards
• Serve as a resource in formal and informal reviews when necessary

Continuous Improvement and upkeep on latest hardware, software, and methodology

• Improve model creation and simulation by document processes and procedures
• Enhance competence of available tools via self, internal, or external training
• Staying abreast of industry trends and new tools by attending conferences and reading relevant papers
• Develop new types of simulation/modeling efforts to expand EA SiPi capability

Perform other duties commensurate with a "senior" engineer role

• Mentor, train, coach and provide work direction to other engineers, technicians, and interns
• Help drive process improvements by developing and documenting various aspects of the modeling, layout, and simulation
• Perform work with little to no supervision as department subject-matter expert on Signal Integrity Power Integrity
• Prevention and proactive ownership of critical product development and process problems within EA Engineering
• Proactive participation in creation and/or updating EA Engineering's Budget, Scorecard, and Objectives

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Masters in lieu of Bachelors with minimum of 7 years of industry experience in a product development environment required; analog or digital embedded design preferably in audio.

Experience

• Minimum of 9 years of industry experience in a product development environment required; analog or digital embedded design preferably in audio.

Knowledge / Technical Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of signal integrity.
• Advanced knowledge of power integrity.
• Intermediate to advanced working knowledge of DSP technology.
• Advanced working knowledge of analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog circuits.
• Intermediate knowledge of acoustics and hearing aid design.
• Advanced proficiency with schematic and layout CAD packages.
• Advanced proficiency with circuit simulation tools.
• Proficiency with printed circuit board analysis software and tools.
• Advanced knowledge of product development best practices (i.e. DFM, DOE, DFMEA, Lean PD, EMC, etc.) required.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency with VNAs and Impedance Analyzers.
• Excellent design, troubleshooting, and documentation skills required.
• Proven ability to perform complex engineering analysis and calculations required.
• Strong attention to detail required.
• Proficiency with audio analyzers and oscilloscopes required.
• Proven ability to work well in a team environment required.
• Ability to work with minimal guidance to make decisions and report progress required.
• Requires personal communication and conduct skills at a professional level.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills required.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work in fast-paced team environment.
• Demonstrated leadership role in projects including ability to provide guidance and direction on the project to less experienced technical personnel required.
• Ability to keep current with new technologies and industry trends required.

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