Hardware Applications Engineer - Principal

Founded in 2003, InvenSense Inc., a TDK Group Company, is the world's leading provider of MEMS sensor platforms. InvenSense's vision of Sensing Everything targets the consumer electronics and industrial markets with integrated Motion and Sound solutions. Our solutions combine MEMS (micro electrical mechanical systems) sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, and microphones with proprietary algorithms and firmware that intelligently process, synthesize, and calibrate the output of sensors, maximizing performance and accuracy. InvenSense's motion tracking, audio and location platforms, and services can be found in many of the world's largest and most iconic brands including smartphones, tablets, wearables, drones, gaming devices, internet of things, automotive products, and remote controls for smart TVs.

InvenSense is headquartered in San Jose, CA and has offices in Boston, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, France, Canada, Slovakia, and Italy. We're looking for top-notch Engineers to join our global team. If you're interested in being a part of our journey and helping us grow to become the leading provider of SoC platform solutions, we definitely want to hear from you.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Principal Hardware Applications Engineer to act as the technical bridge between our MEMS sensor products and our customers. In this role, you will work closely with FAEs, R&D, and product teams to enable successful design-in, integration, and deployment of MEMS sensors across consumer, industrial, and IoT applications.

Key Responsibilities

Customer & Field Support

• Serve as the primary technical interface for key customers during design-in, validation, and production phases
• Provide hands-on support for sensor integration, calibration, signal conditioning, and system optimization
• Debug complex system-level issues involving hardware and firmware
• Support customer on-site visits, technical reviews, and failure analysis when required

Product Enablement & Solutions

• Develop and deliver application notes, User Guides, reference designs, and evaluation guides
• Design PCBs
• Program and debug C code for embedded systems and firmware development.
• Guide customers on sensor selection, performance trade-offs, and architecture decisions
• Build and Support evaluation kits (EVKs), bring-up, and firmware/software examples
• Assist in defining system requirements and translating them into sensor-level specifications

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D and product marketing to provide customer feedback and influence roadmap decisions
• Support FAEs with technical presentations, proof-of-concepts, and pre-sales engagements
• Partner with quality and operations teams on RMA analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective actions

Technical Leadership

• Act as a technical mentor to junior applications engineers
• Contribute to best practices for applications engineering processes and tools

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in applications engineering, field applications engineering (FAE), or systems engineering

• Proven experience working with MEMS sensors such as:

• IMUs (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer)

• Strong background in hardware, embedded systems and sensor signal chains

Technical Skills

• Solid understanding of:

• MEMS sensor physics and performance parameters (noise, bias, drift, sensitivity, cross-axis error)

• Analog and digital interfaces (I²C, SPI, UART)

• Sensor calibration and compensation techniques

• Hands-on experience with:

• Microcontrollers and embedded firmware

• Lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, environmental chambers)

• Ability to develop and debug across hardware, firmware, and software layers

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience in consumer electronics, industrial, or IoT markets
• Familiarity with sensor fusion algorithms and motion processing
• Python, C/C++, or MATLAB for data analysis and tooling
• Experience supporting high-volume production and manufacturing ramp-ups
• Prior customer-facing experience in a semiconductor environment

The starting annual base pay for this role ranges between USD $175,000.00 and $215,000.00. The actual base pay is dependent on various factors, including training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market conditions. This range is subject to change and may be adjusted in the future.