Sr Engineer, Automotive RMA

General Summary:

Job Function:

As an RMA Engineer in Qualcomm's Customer Quality Team, you'll resolve RMA product quality issues. You'll handle RMA evaluation requests from customers, using system and device-level techniques with tools like ATE, XRAY, CSAM, IV curve, bench, Qualcomm in-house test platforms (ADP, PAT, RCM, etc.). You'll lead debug and data gathering efforts alongside other technical disciplines at Qualcomm.

The RMA Engineer provides strategic direction and leadership, collaborating with regional leads to align best practices. Their strong understanding of product design and development facilitates effective internal communication. This position offers opportunities to influence quality across the organization through customer and internal interactions.

Technical Expertise:

Strong experience in the automotive industry or related products is highly desired. Proficiency in understanding various automotive system technologies (IVI, ADAS, connectivity, etc.) issues is essential. Additionally, expertise in addressing ASIC Apps processor issues related to camera, audio, video encoding, and graphics validation is required. The position also demands skills in hardware verification on CPU, GPU, memory, as well as experience in collaborating with cross-functional groups including design, marketing, product test engineering, and supply chain. Knowledgeable in semiconductor assembly, SMT, and packaging issues, with an understanding of mechanical test parameters, is preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the RMA evaluation process daily.
• Evaluate customer returns using tools like ATE, XRAY, CSAM, IV curve, and bench tests to identify root causes.
• Serve as a liaison between Qualcomm, Product Core Team, and Branch CQE. Optimize processes between Customer/Branch & Qualcomm.
• Track actions, schedules, and owners for timely RMA analysis and initiate corrective actions when needed.
• Enhance quality systems to reduce outgoing product DPPM.
• Provide customer feedback to internal teams to improve satisfaction metrics.
• Prioritize and implement customer corrective actions within Qualcomm.
• Produce regular 8D reports for problem-solving teams and management.
• Update customers promptly on open quality issues or support requests.

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written skills; clear organization and articulation of information; seeks win/win resolutions.
• Automotive Systems Knowledge: Understanding key components and interactions of subsystems; correlating handset failures to customer-reported issues.
• Electronic Test Equipment: Proficient with Agilent Network Analyzer, Spectrum Analyzer, Signal Generator, VNA, etc.
• Semiconductor Quality Experience: In-depth knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing processes, focusing on customer issue-related aspects.
• Hands-On Lab Skills: Strong system-level debug and product characterization; expertise in CMOS design is a plus.
• IC Testing: Understanding IC test performance and its correlation with system behavior; knowledgeable on information sharing policies.

Education/Experience

• BS in Electrical/Computer/Communication Engineering (MS preferred) with 5+ years' experience.
• Minimum 4 years in customer support, quality engineering, or product testing.
• Familiarity with automotive product qualification procedures and quality standards.
• Proficient in quality tools, statistics, and problem-solving.
• Knowledge of microelectronics, surface mount technology, semiconductor fabrication, or offshore customers is a plus.
• Strong soft skills: proactive, teachable, team player.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of experience with circuit design (e.g., digital, analog, RF).
• 2+ years of experience utilizing schematic capture and circuit simulation software.
• 2+ years of experience with hardware design and measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, RF tools, etc.
• 1+ year in a technical leadership role with or without direct reports.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leverages advanced Hardware knowledge and experience to plan, optimize, verify, and test critical electronic systems, bring-up yield, circuits, mechanical systems, Digital/Analog/RF/optical systems, equipment and packaging, test systems, FPGA, and/or DSP systems.
• Integrates complex features and functionality into hardware designs in line with proposals or roadmaps for complex products.
• Conducts complex simulations and analyses of designs as well as implements designs with the best power, performance, and area.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement new requirements and incorporate the latest test solutions to improve yield, test time, and quality.
• Evaluates, characterizes, and develops novel manufacturing solutions for leading-edge products in advanced processes to meet customer expectations and schedules.
• Evaluates reliability of critical materials, properties, and techniques and brings innovation, automation, and optimization to maximize productivity.
• Evaluates complex design features to identify potential flaws, compatibility issues, and/or compliance issues.
• Writes detailed technical documentation for complex Hardware projects.

Level of Responsibility:

• Works independently with minimal supervision.
• Provides supervision/guidance to other team members.
• Decision-making is significant in nature and affects work beyond immediate work group.
• Requires verbal and written communication skills to convey complex information. May require negotiation, influence, tact, etc.
• Has a moderate amount of influence over key organizational decisions.