Test & Validation Lead Engineer

Job Description

In an increasingly connected world, the pandemic has highlighted just how essential telecom networks are to keeping society running. The Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to connectivity, pushing the boundaries to deliver more and faster network capacity to people worldwide through our ambition, innovation, and technical expertise.

Join Optical Networks division, where innovation meets scale in the AI-driven data center era. With the recent acquisition of Infinera, we’ve united two industry leaders to create an optical networking powerhouse—combining cutting‑edge technology with proven leadership to redefine the future of connectivity.

Nokia's Optical Networks division pioneers high-performance optical networking solutions, essential for powering the AI super cycle and the evolving cloud‑networked economy. As High‑Speed Converters Test and Validation Lead, you will play a pivotal role in this mission, directly contributing to the development of coherent Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) and Transmission Modules – the intelligent core of our optical transmission products.

Our ASIC/SoC team manages the complete lifecycle of ASICs for optical modules, from architectural definition and specification to implementation and testing. Our primary objective is to push the boundaries of optical reach and transmission bandwidth, while simultaneously achieving significant reductions in power consumption and physical footprint through state‑of‑the‑art chip technologies.

How You Will Contribute And What You Will Learn

As lead High‑Speed Converters Test and Validation Engineer you will be responsible to develop test methods and test plans. You will be instrumental in architecting, measuring, characterizing and qualifying our DSP frontends, the interaction with optical components and the integration of the DSPs into the optical transmission modules. This role demands exceptional technical expertise, leadership, strong collaborative skills, and an unwavering commitment to delivering uncompromising quality.

You will thrive in a culture of autonomy and individual responsibility within international development teams, working on advanced system‑on‑chip devices for coherent transmission systems from IP test chips and initial DSP silicon availability up to product release and customer support.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Steer a group of highly skilled and motivated test engineers
• Drive the ADC and DAC lab measurement, collaborating with design teams of ADC and DAC, ASIC, PIC and optical modules.
• Optimize AD C and DAC test environments (test hardware, measurement equipment and automation for efficient test execution)
• Drive the implementation and optimization of measurement methodologies, scripts and tool chains to maximize efficiency and speed to achieve validation results.
• Drive optimization of configuration, calibration and application‑dependent setup of analogue frontends, with focus on improving performance of ADC, DAC and their PLLs
• Interpret and explain measurement results to the DSP and PIC teams.
• Efficiently diagnose and quickly resolve any issues to meet project timelines.
• Support manufacturing and supply chain to establish efficient test methods for ADCs and DACs in volume manufacturing
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior team members.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including systems engineering, hardware, software, firmware, and test engineering across international Nokia locations.

Key Skills And Experience

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electronic Engineering, Microelectronics, Telecommunication Engineering or similar.
• 5 years in leading position
• Deep knowledge of ADC and DAC technology and designs; strong practical experience with associated measurement methodologies.
• Proficiency regarding high‑frequency measurement equipment (Sampling and Real‑Time Scopes, Network Analyzers) in frequency ranges above 100 GHz
• Profound knowledge about lab setups in general, test equipment control, DUT control using scripts and FW/SW modules, esp. for ADC/DACs, standalone or embedded in DSP ASICs
• Proven experience in writing Python code for lab automation is a must. Experience with Matlab is an additional asset.
• Good knowledge in ATE Test Methodologies and Manufacturing Tests
• Good understanding of (digital) signal processing and signal analysis.
• Knowledge of device packaging technologies, package characterization and de‑embedding
• Basic understanding of firmware development, software structures and methods (C/C++, development of drivers and APIs for the design blocks)
• Good communication skills, fluent written and spoken English (required) and German (expected), with a strong interest to collaborate with international partners.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of coherent optical transmission systems and their components, transmission theory and algorithms, modulation formats and respective implementations
• Knowledge of LINUX‑based systems IT infrastructure management
• Inter‑disciplinary and inter‑cultural collaboration experience

About Us

Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.