Teardown Research Engineer (SD-50024397)

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, which was 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!

We are hiring for a Teardown Research Engineer. This position is responsible for performing product teardowns and competitive analysis. Reverse engineer the latest electronic gadgets to determine sub-system and IC functions and collect measurement data to determine key behavior and characteristics. Provide a complete analysis of the overall system, subsystems, and specific IC’s, for electronic devices in categories such as smartphones, tablets, hearable, wearables, smart home, and automotive infotainment.

Responsibilities:

• Reverse engineer detailed product information by identifying areas of interest, selecting appropriate analytical techniques and evaluating results.
• Compose and perform innovative test experiments to determine system and IC performance.
• Work closely with subject matter experts in Systems, Design, and Marketing teams to analyze results to determine relevance to internal developments.
• Deliver comprehensive assessments of electronic, electro-mechanical, and mechanical sub-systems and components in a product, including diagrams for system connectivity and circuit schematics where possible.
• Assess product architectures and provide reasoning for design choices.
• Provide material lists, including estimated passive component and IC costs/pricing.
• Assess competitive IC’s capabilities and physical analysis for analog/digital/memory structures.
• Provide HW/FW/SW interaction analysis, algorithm functional analysis, and protocol analysis.
• Develop equipment and techniques for the analysis of new devices and technologies; perform experimental research to find and define solutions.
• Engage external data sources/services/contractors or outsource functions as required.
• Produce reports and build competitive database.
• Keep up with news about competitors and new electronics products/technology.
• Communicate ideas and specifications to technical audiences.
• Autonomously manage task list and competing priorities.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with 3+ years of experience reverse engineering devices and circuits with lab experience in system and device-level functional testing.
• Experience with multiple applications/technology used in electronic products such as audio, autofocus and optical image stabilization, voice coil or other motor drive/control, MEMS, inertial/light/pressure/magnetic/touch/force/temperature sensors, haptics, wireless radios/protocols, USB or other complex serial bus protocols, etc.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills and optimistic attitude to addressing challenges.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to succinctly compile and compose written reports.
• Task and detailed oriented, very organized.
• Dynamic and able to learn quickly, self-starter, and unafraid to ask questions.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics.
• Knowledge of closed loop control and adaptive algorithms.
• Understanding of kernel level coding and debugging and device drivers.
• Programming or macro/script development experience.
• Macro photography and photo editing/annotating experience.

Cirrus Logic strives to select the best qualified applicant for any opening. Different approaches, ideas and points of view are both valued and respected. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law.