Senior Principal RFIC (mmWave) Synthesizer/PLL Design Lead

Join Kyocera International, Inc.
We're hiring a Senior Principal RFIC (mmWave) Synthesizer/PLL Design Lead at our San Diego facility!

Salary Range: $214,000 - 340,000 annually
(Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors)

Why Kyocera?
With nearly 80,000 employees worldwide, Kyocera is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries. Our materials power everything from smartphones to space shuttles - and we're just getting started.

What Makes Us Stand Out?
We don't just offer jobs - we offer careers with purpose, stability, and growth. Here's what you can expect:

Generous Time Off

• 3 weeks of vacation to start (120 hours/year)
• 10 paid holidays annually

Financial Wellness

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid pension plan

Comprehensive Health Coverage

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Investing in You

• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off to volunteer
• Flexible schedules

Work-Life Balance & Culture

• Onsite gyms, walking tracks, and employee gardens at larger locations
• Long-tenured team (many with 30+ years of service!)
• Inclusive and diverse workforce
• A company philosophy rooted in doing the right thing as a human being

Our Philosophy
Kyocera's culture is deeply inspired by our founder, Dr. Kazuo Inamori. His values guide our decisions and shape our workplace. Learn more about our guiding principles here:

Kyocera Values

Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply today and become part of a team that's shaping the future - one innovation at a time.

(KRFIC575) Senior Principal RFIC (mmWave) Synthesizer/PLL Design Lead

Exempt: Yes
Safety Sensitive: Yes

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
The Senior Principal RFIC (mmWave) Synthesizer/PLL Design Lead will play a pivotal role in the design and development of a high-performance RF (mmWave) synthesizer for our state-of-the-art FR2/FR3 solutions. As a Senior Principal RFIC (mmWave) Synthesizer/PLL Design Lead, you will lead and mentor a team of talented engineers, drive innovative circuit design techniques, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our products' performance and quality.

This role is full-time and in-person, working from the San Diego office. The candidate should reside within the driving distance of San Diego or be willing to relocate to San Diego.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead RF Synthesizer/PLL architecture, design, layout, characterization and commercialization: from concept to implementation, ensuring competitive KPIs for mmWave 5G and Sensing applications.
• Architecture Definition: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define RF Synthesizer architecture, spec, understanding and balancing performance, area, and power consumption requirements.
• Technical Leadership: Provide technical expertise, guidance, and mentorship to a team of engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Create processes and checklists to improve team's productivity and improve product execution flow.
• Drive package and PCB design/layout, modeling them using EM tools, importing models to simulation environment and run extensive simulations to capture the impacts of package and PCB on RFIC performance.
• Full IC Design Flow: Drive the overall IC design and verification flow, compensation, and calibration, bias circuit, power supply, power management, product yield and reliability analysis, design kits, foundry process, PDK and related design documents, Production Variations, Support of Evaluation Board Design, Design Validation, and mentoring junior engineers.
• Product Yield and Production Variations Analysis: Considerations, analysis and simulation of production yield, variations, calibration process.
• Production ATE Development: Work with Test Engineers to define, develop and ramp production ATE solutions.
• Product Support: Work with Applications, Product, Test and Manufacturing Engineers to help answer customer questions, assess field failures, support yield improvements, etc.
• Technology Development: work with Technologists to define the technology roadmap, addressing the performance and functional requirements of the product roadmap.
• Simulation and Validation: Conduct extensive simulations, modeling, and validation of circuits using industry-standard EDA tools such as AMS and System Verilog to ensure robust performance and functionality across various operating conditions.
• Silicon Characterization: Collaborate with the test team to define test plans and support silicon characterization efforts to validate and debug the chip's performance.
• Design Documentation: Prepare comprehensive design documentation, including specifications, design reviews, and data reviews ensuring efficient knowledge transfer within the team.
• Project Management: Manage project timelines and deliverables, ensuring milestones are met promptly and the project remains on track.
• Intellectual Property: Contribute to the creation and protection of intellectual property through patents, solidifying our Kyocera's position as an industry leader.

RESPONSIBILITIES / QUALIFICATIONS:

• MS. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, or related fields, with a focus on RF/analog/mixed-signal circuit design with 15+ years of industry experience, including 5+ years of mmWave RF Synthesizer design
• Have experience in RF Synthesizer module for mmWave frequency range, including analog, sampling, sub-sampling PLL, achieving stringent phase noise and jitter spec
• Familiarity with linear chirp generation over wide frequency ranges is a plus
• C Circuit Architecture and Tradeoff: Deep understanding of device physics and models, circuit architecture, and design tradeoffs.
• Experienced in IC circuit design and analysis and critical layout: Fractional-N and Integer-N PLL, VCO, N-Divider, DSM, Charge-pump, DTC, TDC, LO generation, reference clock generation, ...
• Familiarity with phase alignment of multiple fractional-N PLLs is a plus
• EM structure: In-depth knowledge of EM structures: microstrip, combiners, coupler, transformer, directional coupler, mutual coupling and shielding analysis.
• Strong expertise in CMOS and SOI process technologies, deep sub-micron nodes, and RFIC layout techniques.
• Proficiency in EDA tools such as Cadence, Spectre, Virtuoso, AMS and familiarity with hardware description languages (e.g. Verilog and System Verilog).
• Strong lab and characterization experience
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior engineers.
• Familiarity with industry standards, protocols, and compliance testing.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand, walk, sit; occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change and other duties may be assigned or removed at any time. This position may require exposure to information subject to US Export Control regulations, i.e.: the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be US persons within the meaning of US regulations.

Kyocera International, Inc. values diversity in its workforce, and is proud to be an AAP/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Kyocera International, Inc. Human Resources team directly.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.