Sensor Test Engineer

Position: Sensor Test Engineer

Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Onsite)

Exp: 4-10 years

We are looking for a Sensor Test Engineer to join the hardware team. This role is responsible for end-to-end sensor validation, capacitive touch (captouch) modelling, and testing on next-generation wearable platforms. You will work closely with cross-functional teams—including manufacturing, firmware, systems integration, and product design engineering—to ensure sensor subsystems meet performance, reliability, and production-readiness requirements..

Key Responsibilities

Sensor Validation

• Develop and execute validation test plans for sensors integrated into wearable hardware (e.g., proximity, ambient light, IMU, captouch)
• Prototyping of new hardware/sensors.
• Characterize sensor performance across environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, mechanical stress)
• Analyze data sensor data to identify discrepancies and root-cause failures
• Define pass/fail criteria and contribute to sensor specifications

Captouch Modelling & Testing

• Build and maintain capacitive touch sensor models (FEM/analytical) to predict performance across design variations
• Conduct captouch sensitivity, linearity, and noise characterization
• Collaborate with firmware teams for sensor development

Manufacturing Interface

• Previous experience in a fast-paced hardware development environment (EVT/DVT/PVT cycles) - must have
• Partner with manufacturing and NPI (New Product Introduction) teams to define sensor test procedures for production lines
• Support manufacturing yield analysis and troubleshoot sensor-related production issues
• Develop and document sensor calibration procedures for factory deployment
• Communicate with manufacturing teams in China to troubleshoot sensor-related test fixture bring up. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Product Design Engineers, Systems Integration Engineers, and Electrical Engineers
• Coordinate with firmware/software teams on sensor driver integration and tuning
• Provide sensor performance data and recommendations to support system-level trade-off decisions
• Contribute to design reviews and risk assessments

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in sensor characterization, validation, or test development
• Experience with FEM simulation tools — COMSOL and/or Ansys (Mechanical & Electronics Desktop)
• Proficiency with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, LCR meters, environmental chambers, data acquisition systems)
• Experience with data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Strong understanding of sensor physics (capacitive, optical, inertial)
• Experience interfacing with manufacturing or NPI teams

Preferred Skill

• 5+ yrs of experience.
• Experience in capacitance extraction and electrode simulation
• Familiarity with consumer electronics or wearable device development
• Experience with embedded systems and sensor firmware debugging
• Knowledge of touch controller ICs (CSD/CSX sensing methods) and their configuration/tuning
• Strong communication skills for cross-site and cross-functional collaboration