Freelance Ic Layout Engineer Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~16,800 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

We are seeking a motivated R&D Hardware Engineer to join our innovative team developing advanced test and measurement solutions for high-speed optical communication applications. This intermediate-level role encompasses analog optoelectronics design, including laser diode driver circuitry, photodiode read-out electronics, biasing and control circuits, signal conditioning, low-noise analog design, SPICE-based circuit simulation, power supply architectures, EMI shielding techniques, standard communication interfaces, and general digital electronics design aspects.

In this role, you will contribute to the development of optoelectronic hardware from concept through prototype bring-up, characterization, validation, and product release. You will apply hands-on and analytical engineering skills to component selection, schematic design, circuit simulation, lab measurements, debugging, and design documentation while balancing performance, quality, cost, schedule, manufacturability, reliability, and regulatory requirements.

You will work closely with neighboring departments and cross-functional partners, including mechanical / optical / production / test / SW engineering, system architects, as well as suppliers. The role requires the ability to work independently on defined assignments while collaborating effectively with experienced engineers to solve technical problems of moderate scope and complexity.

If you are passionate about analog electronics, optoelectronic components, and high-end RF test and measurement systems, and if you are eager to grow your technical expertise in a collaborative product development environment, we invite you to join our team.

• Contribute to the design and development of analog optoelectronic HW for advanced test and measurement instruments.
• Design, analyze, and validate low-noise electronics for driving laser diodes, biasing optical modulators, reading out photodiodes, and conditioning high-speed analog and low-noise signals.
• Develop general digital electronics designs, including board-level control logic, digital interfaces and communication protocols (e.g. SPI, I2C), timing considerations, IC component selection, and integration with analog and optoelectronic subsystems.
• Develop and optimize power supply configurations for optoelectronic and mixed-signal HW.
• Create and maintain schematics, select components, and collaborate with PCB/PCA layout engineers to achieve signal integrity, low-noise performance, thermal robustness, manufacturability, and shielding against EMI influences.
• Simulate analog and mixed-signal circuits in SPICE, with noise-performance simulation as a special focus area.
• Perform and support lab measurements, prototype bring-up, debugging, and characterization electronic subsystems.
• Collaborate with optical engineering on optical interfaces, photodiode and laser diode integration and optical feedback loops, as well as with mechanical engineering and the PCA layout team on packaging, thermal management, mechanical constraints, and shielding concepts.
• Partner with production engineering and test engineering to support design-for-manufacturing/test, production transfer, calibration concepts, and yield improvement activities.
• Document design decisions, simulation results, measurement results, verification outcomes, and technical learnings in line with product development and quality expectations.
• Participate in design reviews.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Optoelectronics, Photonics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience in analog electronics, optoelectronics, photonics instrumentation, or mixed-signal electronics.
• Solid understanding of analog circuit fundamentals, including biasing, feedback, stability, noise, bandwidth, impedance matching, and signal conditioning.
• Practical knowledge of low-noise laser diode driver concepts, optical modulator biasing concepts, and photodiode read-out concepts (transimpedance amplifiers).
• Experience with electrical design tools for schematic capture, PCB/PCA layout collaboration, and SPICE-based circuit simulation (incl. noise analysis), and design documentation.
• Basic understanding of digital electronics design aspects such as control logic, digital interfaces, timing, board-level integration, and mixed-signal design constraints.
• Basic understanding of power supply architectures, grounding concepts, shielding techniques, and EMI-aware board-level design.
• Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional product development team.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to document technical results and communicate across multiple functions.
• English language skills, fluent in written and verbal communication.

• Knowledge of measurements in frequency and time domains, including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, optical power meters, and related test equipment.
• Interest in optical communication systems, photonics test and measurement applications, and advanced electronic instrumentation.
• German language proficiency at B2 level.

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