At Kandou, we are redefining the economics of AI infrastructure. Our mission is to democratise AI by significantly reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of hardware systems — a critical barrier to scalable adoption.
Our proprietary MIMO-over-copper technology powers a high-performance, chiplet-based AI memory fabric that is both scalable and energy-efficient. Unlike traditional interconnects, our solution reduces power consumption significantly while preserving high bandwidth and ultra-low latency — unlocking unprecedented efficiency for AI training and inference at scale.
Kandou’s architecture is not just an incremental improvement — it’s a foundational shift in how AI hardware is built for the future.
Job Title: Director of Silicon Characterization
Location: Saint-Sulpice, Switzerland
Responsibility
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Own the silicon characterization strategy and execution for multiple product programs, from first silicon through validation closure and release readiness.
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Lead development of comprehensive validation plans, schedules, resource allocation, and execution tracking across projects and locations.
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Oversee development of scripts, automation frameworks, and program infrastructure for IC validation, characterization, and ATE interfacing.
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Ensure rigorous and timely execution of silicon bring-up, debug, validation, and characterization for SerDes-based and other high-speed products central to Kandou AI’s portfolio.
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Drive the definition, specification, and review of evaluation boards and reference hardware required for lab validation and customer enablement.
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Support customer demos, technical evaluations, and issue resolution involving silicon, EVMs, and validation data.
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Co-own silicon validation, characterization, and test reporting, ensuring clear communication of status, risks, correlation, and readiness.
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Partner closely with design, product engineering, quality, applications, and operations teams to accelerate debug cycles and improve silicon learning.
Required Skills
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Strong understanding of validation and characterization requirements for high volume semiconductor products and IP.
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Ability to define validation coverage from product specifications and translate it into structured test plans, milestones, and resource plans.
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Effective collaboration with analog, digital, DfT, product, and applications teams to review and finalize validation strategy.
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Ability to lead teams and coordinate execution across multiple sites and external partners.
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Sound judgment in selecting methods, tools, and trade-offs for technical problem solving.
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Experience evaluating lab and test equipment, managing vendors, and supporting procurement decisions.
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Good understanding of budgeting, lab investment planning, productivity, and cost management.
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Flexible, pragmatic, and execution-oriented when addressing unexpected silicon or lab issues.
Required Experience
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10+ years of experience in the semiconductor industry, with deep expertise in IC bring-up, validation, characterization, and ATE interface development.
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Strong hands-on experience in high-speed or high-frequency signal measurement, lab automation, and validation environments.
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Proven expertise with instruments and methods used for electrical and compliance testing, including BERTs, oscilloscopes, and signal analyzers.
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Experience with SerDes-based products is strongly preferred and especially relevant for Kandou AI’s technology roadmap.
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Good understanding of high-speed multilayer reference PCB or evaluation board design for products with demanding signal integrity requirements.
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Experience supporting customers through evaluation, debug, demonstrations, or product adoption activities.
Education
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Bachelor´s or Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering or relevant field.
www.kandou.ai
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