Principle Digital Hardware Design Engineer

COHU - Norwood, MA

Full-time - Senior

Norwood, MA

Machinery Manufacturing

About the position

This position is for a Principal Digital Hardware Design Engineer within the Digital product development group, located in Norwood, Massachusetts. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing technology for high-performance, precision digital instrumentation. A strong grasp of hardware issues such as digital circuit logic design, high-speed transmission lines, and frequency domain analysis is essential. The role requires hands-on characterization and debugging, necessitating familiarity with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers. While the primary focus is on hardware, some knowledge of RTL design and software is also required. Experience in the electronics test industry is a significant advantage. As the candidate's career progresses, they will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with marketing and applications teams to provide input on Cohu's instrumentation strategies and future product developments. The essential duties include understanding digital instruments for ATE test equipment, such as tester period generation, vernier, and RTD design. Responsibilities also encompass digital timing analysis, understanding different clock topologies, and generating high-level functional block diagrams based on product marketing requirements. The candidate will estimate circuit power consumption, translate high-level functional block diagrams into detailed circuit designs using Cadence Concept Schematic Capture tool, and work with CAD design engineers to transition schematic designs into PCB artwork. This requires a basic understanding or experience with artwork layout tools such as Allegro. Additionally, the candidate will collaborate with ASIC design houses to define ASIC requirements and assist in ASIC design, generate theories of operation for circuits, and define circuit test strategies, including test setups and limits. The role also involves circuit features and functional debugging, instrument bring-up, and detailed characterization of circuit behavior to validate specifications.

Responsibilities

• Develop technology for high-performance, precision digital instrumentation.
• Characterize and debug hardware issues related to digital circuit logic design.
• Utilize laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers for testing.
• Understand digital instruments for ATE test equipment, including tester period generation and RTD design.
• Conduct digital timing analysis and understand different clock topologies.
• Generate high-level functional block diagrams based on product marketing requirements.
• Estimate circuit power consumption from high-level functional block diagrams.
• Translate high-level functional block diagrams into detailed circuit designs using Cadence Concept Schematic Capture tool.
• Collaborate with CAD design engineers to transition schematic designs into PCB artwork.
• Work with ASIC design houses to define ASIC requirements and assist in ASIC design.
• Generate theories of operation for circuits and define circuit test strategies, including test setups and limits.
• Debug circuit features and perform instrument bring-up.
• Characterize circuit behavior and validate against specifications.

Requirements

• MSEE preferred; BSEE will be considered.
• 10-15 years of experience in test equipment development is a significant plus.
• Strong circuit design knowledge at both gate level and transistor level.
• Understanding of the ASIC design process.
• Ability to create and understand hardware block diagrams and schematics.
• Ability to understand engineering, manufacturing, and customer requirements.
• Collaborative development with engineers from other disciplines, including Software, Firmware, and Mechanical specialists.
• Programming skills in C, C++, Python, Lab View, Verilog, etc.
• Simulation skills using Spice, Verilog, and 3D field solvers.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills, particularly in a laboratory setting.
• Proven ability to develop quality deliverables on time.
• Self-motivated and driven individual with a passion for creation.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience within the electronics test industry.
• Familiarity with Allegro artwork layout tools.
• Knowledge of RTL design and software.