R&D Project Manager - BERT - Job Opportunity at Keysight Technologies

Böblingen, Germany
Full-time
Senior
Posted: July 21, 2025
On-site
EUR 85,000 - 120,000 annually based on the senior-level technical management role in Germany's electronics industry, with Keysight's market position as a premium technology company typically offering competitive compensation packages above market median

Benefits

Opportunity to work at the forefront of technology innovation with breakthrough electronic design and testing solutions
Access to world-class development resources and cutting-edge technology platforms
Global collaboration opportunities with R&D teams across India and US locations
Award-winning company culture that promotes bold vision and creative problem-solving
Professional development in high-growth technology sectors including 5G, automotive, quantum, and aerospace
International exposure working with customers across 100+ countries
Comprehensive career advancement pathways in a company of ~15,000 employees

Key Responsibilities

Lead and develop cross-functional R&D engineering teams specializing in Bit Error Ratio Test (BERT) and PCIe Protocol Test solution development, directly impacting next-generation testing capabilities
Drive strategic product development focusing on high-speed digital board design and highest-end FPGA development with sophisticated cooling solutions, positioning the company at the technology forefront
Orchestrate complex multi-disciplinary projects encompassing mechanical engineering, ASIC development, and software engineering to deliver comprehensive testing solutions
Execute product feasibility studies and align product definitions with marketing strategies to ensure market-driven innovation and competitive positioning
Manage cross-functional teams throughout the complete Product Life Cycle (PLC), ensuring seamless coordination from concept to market delivery
Achieve critical project parameters including schedule adherence, investment optimization, manufacturing cost targets, quality standards, and technical specifications that directly impact company profitability and market share
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with global R&D teams and external companies to leverage collective expertise and accelerate innovation timelines

Requirements

Education

Bachelors, Master, or University Degree in electrical engineering or equivalent

Experience

At least seven years professional experience working in R&D with relevant experience as people manager or supervisor

Required Skills

Deep technical background in high-speed digital board and FPGA design Knowledge in T&M (Test & Measurement) Knowledge in ASIC design, mechanical and software engineering Strong leadership skills Proven people management skills with ability to lead and motivate professionals to meet challenging objectives and timelines Experience in collaboration with related functions in manufacturing, marketing, and planning Excellent communication and presentation skills Knowledge and experience executing R&D projects according to Product Life Cycle Proven track record in product development from concept phase to shipment release Experience in resource planning, task assignment, and completion tracking Experience with managing and reporting project budgets and schedules German and English language proficiency
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The electronic test and measurement industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by 5G network deployments, autonomous vehicle development, and quantum computing research, creating substantial demand for advanced BERT and PCIe testing solutions. The complexity of modern high-speed digital systems requires increasingly sophisticated testing equipment that can handle multi-gigabit data rates and complex protocol validation. FPGA technology is becoming increasingly central to test equipment design as it provides the flexibility needed to adapt to rapidly evolving communication standards and protocols. Companies are investing heavily in FPGA-based solutions to future-proof their testing platforms and reduce time-to-market for new product introductions. The semiconductor industry's push toward higher integration and faster speeds is driving demand for more precise and capable test solutions, particularly in areas like PCIe 5.0/6.0 validation, high-speed SerDes testing, and advanced signal integrity analysis. This trend is creating opportunities for companies that can deliver cutting-edge testing capabilities.

Role Significance

Typically manages 15-25 engineers across multiple disciplines including hardware, FPGA, software, and mechanical engineering teams, with additional coordination responsibilities for international collaborative projects
Senior management position with significant strategic impact, combining deep technical expertise with people leadership responsibilities. The role operates at the intersection of technology innovation and business execution, making critical decisions that affect product roadmaps and market positioning.

Key Projects

Next-generation BERT solutions capable of handling 100+ Gbps data rates with advanced jitter and noise analysis capabilities PCIe 6.0 protocol test platforms supporting the latest specification requirements and compliance testing High-speed digital board designs incorporating advanced signal integrity optimization and thermal management solutions FPGA-based test engines with real-time processing capabilities for complex protocol analysis and generation

Success Factors

Technical depth in high-speed digital design combined with systems-level thinking to navigate complex multi-disciplinary projects involving cutting-edge technologies. Success requires the ability to make informed technical decisions while understanding their impact on cost, schedule, and manufacturability. Exceptional people management and cross-cultural communication skills to effectively lead diverse international teams and maintain productive relationships with global stakeholders. The role demands the ability to motivate technical professionals while managing competing priorities and resource constraints. Strategic business acumen to align technical development with market requirements and competitive positioning. Success depends on understanding customer needs, market trends, and competitive landscape to guide product development decisions that maximize business impact. Project management excellence with demonstrated ability to deliver complex R&D projects on time and within budget while maintaining high quality standards. This includes risk management, resource optimization, and stakeholder communication throughout the product lifecycle.

Market Demand

High demand driven by the critical shortage of experienced R&D managers with both deep technical expertise in high-speed digital design and proven people management skills in the rapidly expanding test and measurement sector

Important Skills

Critical Skills

High-speed digital board design expertise is absolutely essential as modern test equipment must handle signal speeds exceeding 100 Gbps while maintaining measurement accuracy and signal integrity. This skill directly impacts product performance and competitive differentiation in the marketplace. FPGA development capabilities are crucial because these devices serve as the core processing engines in modern test equipment, enabling real-time signal generation, analysis, and protocol processing. Mastery of advanced FPGA techniques including high-speed I/O, signal processing, and embedded systems is fundamental to success. People management and cross-functional leadership skills are critical for coordinating complex projects involving multiple engineering disciplines and international teams. The ability to motivate technical professionals while managing competing priorities directly impacts project success and team productivity. Product lifecycle management experience ensures efficient progression from concept through manufacturing release while optimizing resource utilization and meeting market timing requirements. This skill is essential for commercial success in competitive technology markets.

Beneficial Skills

ASIC design knowledge provides strategic advantage in developing next-generation test solutions with custom silicon for enhanced performance and cost optimization Mechanical engineering understanding enables better integration of thermal management and packaging solutions critical for high-speed digital systems Software development experience facilitates better coordination with software teams and understanding of system-level architecture requirements Business and marketing acumen helps align technical decisions with market requirements and competitive positioning strategies

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to define the next generation of BERT and PCIe test solutions that will become industry standards used by leading semiconductor and communications companies worldwide
Direct involvement in developing test solutions for emerging technologies including 800G optical communications, PCIe 6.0, and advanced automotive Ethernet applications
Access to Keysight's extensive intellectual property portfolio and advanced technology platforms, providing significant competitive advantages in product development
Leadership role in a company that consistently sets industry benchmarks for measurement accuracy, speed, and reliability

Career Growth

Progression to senior director level typically occurs within 3-5 years with strong performance, while VP-level positions may be achievable within 5-8 years depending on business growth and individual contribution to strategic initiatives

Potential Next Roles

Senior R&D Director overseeing multiple product lines and larger engineering organizations within Keysight's test and measurement portfolio VP of Engineering positions at technology companies focusing on semiconductor test, automotive electronics, or communications infrastructure Chief Technology Officer roles at mid-sized test equipment companies or technology startups developing next-generation measurement solutions Executive positions in business development or product strategy leveraging deep technical background and market understanding

Company Overview

Keysight Technologies

Keysight Technologies stands as the world's leading electronic measurement company, having spun off from Agilent Technologies in 2014 with a rich heritage dating back to Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement legacy. The company serves as the primary technology partner for breakthrough innovations in electronic design and testing across multiple high-growth industries.

Market leader in electronic test and measurement with approximately $5 billion in annual revenue and dominant positions in 5G testing, automotive electronics validation, and aerospace/defense applications. Keysight consistently outperforms competitors through technological innovation and maintains premium pricing through superior product capabilities.
The Böblingen location serves as a critical European R&D hub focusing on high-speed digital test solutions, leveraging Germany's strong engineering talent pool and proximity to major automotive and industrial customers. This facility plays a strategic role in Keysight's global product development network.
Engineering-centric culture that values technical excellence, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. The company maintains high performance standards while fostering an environment where engineers can work on cutting-edge technologies that define industry standards.
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