Staff Characterisation Engineer

Location: Semtech Bristol Design Centre - Bradley Stokes, Bristol, United Kingdom

Hybrid Model: Office - 4 Days Per Week (Mon - Thurs)

The Characterisation Engineering team at Semtech plays a key role in ensuring the quality and performance of advanced silicon designs taken to mass production.

We work at the intersection of design, validation, and product engineering, developing and executing high-precision lab-based test strategies for high-speed analogue and optical semiconductor devices. 

Engineers in this team are responsible for building and improving automated test environments, analysing complex datasets, and translating measurement results into meaningful engineering insight that directly influences product development.

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on environment, working closely with colleagues across Bristol and global engineering sites. The team places strong emphasis on learning, technical development, and mentorship, making it an excellent environment for engineers looking to deepen their expertise and grow within semiconductor R&D.

Job Summary

We are looking for a recent graduate in Electrical or Electronic Engineering to join us as a Staff Characterisation Engineer in Bristol.

This role is designed to be an entry point into the semiconductor industry, giving you structured learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience working directly with high-speed optical and mixed-signal devices.

You will support lab-based testing, learn how to automate measurement processes, and develop skills in analysing engineering data — all while working alongside experienced engineers who will guide your development.

This is an ideal opportunity if you are at the start of your career and want to build strong practical engineering skills in a real R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the testing and characterisation of high-speed optical and mixed-signal ICs using advanced laboratory equipment under different voltage and environmental conditions.
• Learn how to design and improve test setups using PCBs, lab instruments, and measurement systems.
• Develop and apply automation scripts (primarily using Python) to improve test efficiency and repeatability.
• Analyse engineering data to understand device performance and support product characterisation activities.
• Work closely with experienced engineers across design, validation, and applications teams to support ongoing development projects.

What You’ll Learn and Develop

• Practical experience using professional semiconductor lab equipment.
• Hands-on skills in measurement techniques and data analysis.
• Introduction to optical and mixed-signal device characterisation.
• Experience with Python-based automation and engineering workflows.
• Understanding of how semiconductor products are developed, tested, and released.
• Confidence working in a structured, fast-paced engineering environment.

Minimum Requirements

• A recent (or soon-to-be) graduate with a 2:1 or above in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (or a closely related discipline).
• Strong interest in electronics and applied engineering.
• Basic understanding of electronic principles (voltage, current, power, timing).
• Willingness to learn programming (Python experience is beneficial but not essential).
• Good communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Curiosity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for hands-on engineering work.

Nice to Have (Not Essential)

• Exposure to electronics labs, university projects, or internships.
• Basic familiarity with Python or scripting.
• Awareness of PCBs, semiconductor devices, or signal integrity concepts.

Why This Role is a Great Start to Your Career

• Real hands-on engineering experience from your first day.
• Structured learning supported by experienced mentors.
• Exposure to cutting-edge optical and mixed-signal technologies.
• Opportunity to build strong technical foundations in a global semiconductor company.
• Clear development pathway into more advanced engineering roles.

Career Growth Philosophy

At Semtech, we invest in early-career engineers by combining hands-on experience, mentorship, and continuous learning. We believe the best engineers are developed through practical exposure, curiosity, and collaboration.

This role is designed to help you transition from university into industry with confidence, building both technical depth and professional experience.

Additional Notes

The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities of the role. Incumbents may be required to perform additional job-related tasks as needed.

All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and may be adjusted to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.