Test Development Engineer

Hardware Development Engineer Team – R&D Engineering

Location – Cambridge, UK

Contract – Full-Time, Permanent

About CGD

A spin-out of the Cambridge University, Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) is a fabless semiconductor company that develops a range of energy-efficient GaN-based power devices to make greener electronics possible. The global power semiconductor market is expected to exceed $50BN. In addition to the multi-million seed fund and Series A and now B private investments, CGD has so far successfully secured four projects funded by iUK, BEIS and EU (Penta). The technical and commercial expertise of the CGD team combined with an extensive track record in the power electronics market has been fundamental in early market traction of our proprietary technology.

Bringing Innovation into Everyday Life

The environmental need for solutions to resolve the world’s most significant challenges (energy consumption and CO2 emissions) inspires us to contribute to society by preserving nature with energy-efficient power solutions. With a mindset on pushing the limits of semiconductor (GaN) properties and an outstanding team of worldwide experts leveraging knowledge, IP, and decades of research, we demonstrate technological advancement by developing green solutions for everyday electronics, respecting our planet’s natural resources, and creating a more sustainable future for the generations to come.

Why Work for CGD

We Champion Commitment, Celebrate Empowerment, and Reward the Brave. We are interested in change-makers with a passion for power semiconductors who are willing to explore unconventional ways to meet the company’s green agenda. At CGD, we pride ourselves on putting empowerment and commitment at the core of our company culture. We offer a relaxed yet productive working environment where everybody is valued and respected and becomes part of commercial success while experiencing professional growth. If your heart beats for innovation, challenge, and growth, and if the prospect of joining a friendly and game-changing company is for you, we want to hear from you.

The Opportunity

CGD is looking for a Hardware Development Engineer to join our growing engineering team. You will principally be responsible for designing and setting up test systems to characterize our GaN power devices and ICs. This includes all steps from system concept to initial operation. These test systems characterize the static and dynamic properties of CGD’s devices, as well as reliability and long term-operation. They will be installed both in-house in Cambridge and at our partners around the world. In this role, you will be able to develop and use your knowledge in power electronics engineering, PCB design and testing at the forefront of GaN devices R&D. The outcome of your work will be impressive hardware systems that enable our Device and Reliability Engineers to prove the excellent properties of CGD’s GaN power devices. This role is based at the company’s office and lab in Cambridge, UK.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop test solutions for characterization of GaN power ICs
• Design schematics, layout and mechanical setup
• Assembly of test hardware (in-house and with subcontractors)
• Liaise with subcontractors to build prototypes and systems
• Testing and debugging of new test setup or solution, including pilot characterization runs as part of the initial operation
• Design and run customer-specific tests
• Liaise with CGD engineers in all phases of hardware development

Skills and Experience

Essential

• A degree or similar vocational qualification (e.g. HND) in a relevant engineering or science subject
• Demonstrable industrial experience in hardware development and the design of analog electronic systems, ideally for test systems
• Hands-on experience with Altium (or similar) PCB design software, with knowledge of good layout practices
• Hands-on experience with a SPICE simulator (e.g. OrCAD, LTSPICE or similar)
• Experience in developing test solutions for semiconductor devices, on a lab-scale or at high volume
• Knowledge of test and safety at high voltage (1kV) and elevated temperatures
• Hands-on skills in building electronics, i.e. hand soldering, reflow soldering, etc.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced start-up environment
• Pro-active by nature, responsive to changing needs of the projects and business
• Good communication and presentation skills, including documentation
• A mindset for precise and high-quality results
• An eye for detail

Desirable

• Skilled in power electronics, in particular power electronic circuits for device reliability or testing
• Knowledge of power semiconductor devices is desirable
• Experience with hardware running at elevated temperatures
• Knowledge of semiconductor device testing, on a lab-scale or at high volume

Benefits

• Excellent salary
• Share options scheme available (so you own a piece of the company!)
• Pension scheme (6% Company contribution)
• Life Assurance (3x Salary)
• BUPA Private Medical Insurance
• BUPA Cash Plan (Level 3)
• Flexible working options (both location and times)
• Annual leave allowance of 33 days (including bank holidays)
• Training and development
• Electric Car Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• IP bonus scheme
• Involvement in collaborative projects and grants with University of Cambridge and other partners
• Recruitment referral bonus
• Regular social events including frequent company lunches, annual summer party, Christmas party, team building and wellbeing activities

We believe in equal opportunities

It takes a diverse and inclusive community of passionate, talented and committed people to build a system to shape the future of power electronics. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all employees. We aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes. From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do. We are well set up for collaborative hybrid working, with some members of the team working in the UK office and some from home in the UK and other cities in Europe and Asia.