Senior Design Engineer

BASIC PURPOSE: The Senior Design Engineer will design & layout new power semiconductor chips for manufacture in the Bourns Wafer Fab in Bedford or in an external wafer foundry. The designer will be part of a project team responsible for designing and releasing overvoltage and overcurrent protection products. The Senior Design Engineer will have an in-depth understanding of wafer processing that allows the designer to act as a technology consultant for Wafer Fab process improvement activities. Important skills are those that allow the reverse engineering of competition products.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES (End Results Expected):

• Work with Product Line Manager, sales and application engineers to create products that meet defined new product requirements.
• Demonstrate deep understanding of Semiconductor Physics and high level of competency with Design of Experiments, wafer fabrication technology and electrical testing to design, build and assess prototype products.
• Proficient user of Silvaco or other Computer Aided Design and layout tools.
• Document and present proposals for new designs and design changes for review by the product development team and investigate feedback on the product design to create an optimized device and process flow.
• Work as part of the new product introduction team to achieve on-time release of new products into production.
• Personally performs complex and novel work assignments pertaining to device modeling development, and the qualification of complex technology and products.
• Completes engineering documentation package including product data sheets, to support successful new product launch and/or product/process implementation to IATF16949 standard or better.
• Performs and develops product characterization, test and failure analysis techniques supporting product development, enhancement, reliability and customer applications.
• Applies knowledge and experience of SPC, DOE, DFM, FMEA, and six-sigma process in all products and processes.
• Advises on new ideas, robust design/processes, and implements best practice methodology for constant improvement.
• Provides engineering support for sustaining existing semiconductor products, ensuring that new products may be converted from development to production status.
• Provides technical training to new engineering or plant personnel and consultations to other departments, companies and business units.
• Ensures the early participation of process and manufacturing engineering, purchasing and other functions in the development process.
• Solves chronic problems (quality, performance and cost) related to products and processes using new materials, technologies, design, SPC, DOE or other techniques.
• Informed on trends and developments in the electronics and surge protection industry through trade publications, trade shows, seminars or outside studies; performs other related duties as required.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: The Senior Design Engineer will exhibit active listening skills that aid in effective communication and teamwork with all levels of the organization in providing directions to technical engineering professionals and clerical support personnel along with high level project planning and communication.

COMMUNICATIONS:

• ORAL: Excellent verbal skills required to communicate instructions and present ideas, concepts, and solutions to all levels of employees, suppliers, and customers, worldwide.
• WRITTEN: Excellent written skills required to issue instructions and present ideas, concepts, and solutions to all levels of employees and suppliers via letters, email, fax, memos, graphs, charts, etc.

SCHEDULING AND PLANNING: Plans, schedules and directs all assigned project activities. Involved in short-term and long-range planning activities.

BASIC JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• EDUCATION: Normally, graduation from an accredited three-year college or university with a degree in Engineering or Science required, or equivalent education, training and experience.
• TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated ability to perform the above functions, combined with progressive engineering experience and the proven capability to design, develop and release products, processes or equipment of major scope and a high degree of complexity. Specific knowledge in the design of power circuits in silicon or SiC is essential.
• SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Knowledge of surge protection technology with emphasis on semi-conductor protection components. Engineering background in surge protective devices and a basic understanding of general application circuits that require protection. Knowledge of electrical measurement techniques used in the circuit protection industry. Experience working in circuit protection device characterization, test, reliability and failure analysis. Detailed knowledge of regulatory requirements and standards covering voltage and over current protection (or similar experience in power electronic components).
• OTHER SKILLS: Time management and organizational skills. Capable of managing own work and deliverables with little supervision. Flexible and able to work in a demanding environment, and to travel as required. Creative thinking: challenge the old ways and seek better ways of doing things.

PLEASE NOTE: Only applicants with the legal right to live and work in the UK will be considered.