Job detail for Characterization Lead

At Kandou , we are redefining the economics of AI infrastructure. Our mission is to democratise AI by significantly reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of hardware systems — a critical barrier to scalable adoption. Our proprietary MIMO-over-copper technology powers a high-performance, chiplet-based AI memory fabric that is both scalable and energy-efficient . Unlike traditional interconnects, our solution reduces power consumption significantly while preserving high bandwidth and ultra-low latency — unlocking unprecedented efficiency for AI training and inference at scale. As Lead, you will own performance of Zinal retimer silicon and the Randa Active Electrical Cable (AEC) channel. This is a Principal / Senior Staff individual contributor role with hands-on technical leadership. Your measurements will establish datasheet limits, channel classes and guard-bands for validation, manufacturing and customer specifications. Based primarily in Lausanne, you will work with silicon, signal integrity and validation teams, including channel partners in Taiwan. · Lead silicon and channel from measurement planning and bench setup through analysis, limit derivation and documented hand-off to validation. · Characterize TX/RX SerDes performance across process, voltage and temperature: swing, jitter, sensitivity, equalization, adaptation, CDR lock, BER bathtubs and shmoos. · Own channel measurements to at least 50 GHz, including de-embedding, insertion/return loss, mixed-mode S-parameters and common-mode and mode-conversion behavior. · Establish reference-paddle baselines and channel classes by gauge, reach and frequency; correlate HTDR-derived metrics with calibrated VNA measurements. · Derive datasheet limits and guard-bands from measured distributions, accounting for uncertainty, sample coverage and aging; maintain traceable datasets and limit revisions. · Assess carrier-loading and forwarded-clock tradeoffs using measured channel data and simulation, and translate the findings into supported configurations and limits. · Characterize power, energy per bit and thermal behavior across operating modes and corners; investigate equalizer noise amplification and channel/thermal interactions. · Coordinate shared laboratory equipment and milestones with validation teams; lead technical reviews and deliver limits in time for downstream qualification and screening. Essential Experience · 10 to 14 years of experience in SerDes/silicon and/or high-speed channel and signal integrity following degree completion. · Direct ownership of a program whose results became datasheet limits or qualification thresholds for a shipping product. · Strong VNA measurement experience to 50 GHz or beyond, including de-embedding, mixed-mode S-parameters (Sdd/Scc/Scd/Sdc) and insertion/return-loss mask interpretation. · Hands-on TX/RX SerDes , jitter decomposition, BER bathtubs, PVT shmoos and equalization/adaptation analysis. · Demonstrated common-mode and mode-conversion measurement depth, with the ability to distinguish channel behavior from fixture and calibration artifacts. · Statistical and guard-band derivation across corners, with clear treatment of measurement uncertainty, sample size and aging. · Experience with VNAs, oscilloscopes of at least 50 GHz bandwidth, BERTs, jitter instrumentation, thermal forcing and ATE load boards. · BS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent, with the technical communication and coordination skills to hand off defensible limits to validation and manufacturing teams. Essential Experience · leadership for shipping 100G/lane or 200G/lane retimers, PHYs, AECs or AOCs. · Deep mixed-mode where common-mode behavior affects information transport and link margin. · Experience producing datasheet limits that a separate validation team independently qualified. · Multi-carrier or proprietary coding schemes, including OFDM-style subcarriers and space-time coding, and their implications. · Published work or patents in channel modeling, de-embedding or SerDes . · MS or PhD with a concentration in communications, RF/microwave engineering or signal integrity. If this is the role you have been looking for and you want to be part of a growing Company, with an exciting future then we would love to hear from you. Together We Kandou It!! Find Jobs in Switzerland on Arbeitnow [Skills: RnD - Lab]