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Post Development Support Engineer

Background

Frontier Silicon is an award winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile and handheld radios and televisions using DAB and DVB standards. Our products – semiconductors, modules and IPR - are used by the world’s leading consumer equipment suppliers such as Bang and Olufsen, Cambridge Audio, TEAC, Philips, Pure, Sony, etc.

The development activity is led from the UK and Ireland with the centre of hardware development based in our laboratories and offices in Cambridge and using suppliers of semiconductors and modules drawn from the premier league of manufacturers, currently based in the Far East.

The business now requires further world class individuals to join the engineering team to support operations with our broadening range of products and the development of new modules using new  standards such as WiFi, Bluetooth, DMB and DVB-H - for portable and handheld products.

As a leading global name in innovative audio-visual technology, we offer first rate opportunities and exciting challenges for engineers in a fast track development environment. The role is expected to develop and this document is subject to change, as a result.

Purpose of the Job

This is a position within the engineering team with significant opportunities to contribute knowledge in both process and engineering related areas.

• Primary interface with Operations, engineering, suppliers and manufacturing units.
• Carry out sustaining engineering design work, investigations on released products.
• Manage Frontier Silicon manufacturing technical information.
• To ensure that Frontier Silicon’s module and PCB level manufacturing activities meet the company’s requirements for Quality, Cost and Delivery times.
• To maintain and promote best practice processes, methods and procedures assist the HW department to be more effective.

The PDS Engineer will have the following attributes:

• Engineering experience of development and NPI process, and volume manufacture using Contract Manufacture- relevant to hi volume consumer AV domestic, personal electronics.
• Willingness to accept responsibility and accountability for tasks and their timely completion.
• Work pro-actively and methodically. Good at completing documentation and finishing jobs.
• Sees value of process and procedures sees PDS in relation to Quality Systems.
• Responsive can–do, positive attitude, able to persuade and influence.
• Able to put things in a very simple way to facilitate communication and reach common understanding across culture barriers
• Experience of working with Chinese and Far East cultures. Mandarin / Cantonese useful.
• Availability for assignments abroad and global travel – trips of up to 2 / 3 weeks.
• Has a technical education to HND / degree level in a engineering topic, with experience of working in a PDS function.
• Demonstrable track record of achievement in PDS with experience of PDM systems.
• Able to respond effectively to pressure, analyse complex situations, knowing when to impart extra effort (e.g. work extra hours) from both personal and team perspectives.
• Will have a flexible outlook to assignment definition.

Detailed duties, responsibilities and accountablities

• Component engineering: Evaluate substitute / alternative components. Maintain product BoM - maintain component AVL. Verify RoHS and materials conformance evidence for components.
• Operation and configuration for PDM system (Arena)
• Hands –on circuit / module engineering / fault finding. Diagnosis, root cause analysis, rectification and report writing on faulty units, PCB’s and components.
• Use of RF and HW based test equipment, ATE. Support contract manufacturers on test / production / component issues. Identify ways of improving production test coverage and yield.
• Actively investigate and implement cost reduction opportunities – product / test / production operations etc.
• Maintenance of product manufacturing packs including BoM, alternate parts lists, change requests, (ECN’s), waivers, concessions, test specifications and programs, product software, etc.
• Act as lead engineer on product support and cost down projects.
• Interpret and present information (e.g. process yield data) for easy dissemination. Communicate effectively and reach common understanding across cultural barriers
• In line with F-S Business goals and its top level policies, support and implement processes and operational policies relevant to work practices, tools, project reviews and workflow.
• Operate configuration, documentation, change management and product review procedures in line with company policies, creating, reviewing and authorising appropriate documentation.
• Provide support in solving systems problems and to other departments including factory.
• Liaison with suppliers and subcontractors as well as other internal departments
• Maintain current and forward looking engineering knowledge and disseminate that knowledge to the company as required.

Qualifications

• HND / Degree qualified in an Engineering subject with subsequent experience, OR,  equivalent training and experience

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years PDS in a relevant environment (consumer, high volume, contract manufacture).
• Microsoft Office literate (Word, Excel, Access, MS Project.)
• Min 5 yrs hands on engineering development/ fault finding / test work.
• Experience of high volume low cost development and production processes.
• Min 2 yrs working with different cultures,.
• Experience of PDM systems (Arena preferred)
• Min 2 yrs direct experience of several iterations of the complete product lifecycle.
• Audio / video broadcast standards, design and development

Desirable Experience

• Team  / personnel leadership Min 5 Years.
• Written and spoken skills in Mandarin / Cantonese
• Close inter-working and control of technology suppliers
• Project leadership, planning.
• Analysis and presentation of complex data sets and methods ; “6 sigma”, cpk