Lab & ATE Team Lead

Description:

Location: Ra’anana, Israel

About Us:

DriveNets is a leader in disaggregated high-scale networking solutions for service providers and AI infrastructures. Founded in December 2015, DriveNets created a radical new way to build networks by adapting the architectural model of the cloud to telco-grade networking. This solution accelerates network deployment, improves the network’s economic model, and radically simplifies network operations. With customers including Comcast, Orange, and KDDI, over 80% of AT&T’s network traffic now runs through a disaggregated core powered by DriveNets software. DriveNets Network Cloud-AI solution, based on the same technology, was introduced to the market in 2023, providing the highest-performance Ethernet-based AI networking solution, and is already deployed by Hyperscalers, NeoClouds, and Enterprises. Raising over $587 million in three funding rounds, DriveNets continues to deploy the most innovative network infrastructure and is looking for the most talented people to be part of this journey. 

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Electrical Validation (EV) Team and System Testing / ATE Team Leader to join our team. This position is crucial in supporting the design, development, and implementation of Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and production test systems. 

The Electrical Validation team Lead manages the electrical validation function across DriveNets hardware platforms. This role owns the validation strategy, methodology, lab infrastructure, and execution across all high-speed and control interfaces. The manager ensures robust electrical performance from early prototypes through production release and drives cross-functional alignment between design, SI, firmware, and manufacturing.

The role involves close collaboration with the HW R&D team, Quality, DevOps, and Contract Manufacturing (CM) teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable products.

This group is part of the HW R&D group.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the electrical validation strategy for DriveNets hardware platforms.
• Own validation methodology for: High-speed Ethernet (100M–1600G), PCIe Gen1 to Gen5+, SerDes architectures (NRZ/PAM4), Control and management buses (I2C, SPI, RS-232, MDIO, etc.)
• Establish structured validation plans aligned with hardware release milestones.
• Build and manage a high-performance validation team.
• Define lab architecture, including: Equipment selection (oscilloscopes, BERTs, analyzers), Compliance platforms, Automation frameworks, Signal integrity validation environments
• Drive early engagement with board design and SI teams to ensure design-for-validation.
• Oversee: Compliance (IEEE, PCI-SIG, OIF), Interoperability testing, Stress and margin testing
• Lead root cause analysis of electrical failures and systemic issues.
• Support NPI, manufacturing bring-up, and yield improvement.
• Develop automation and scalable validation methodologies.
• Define validation documentation standards and sign-off criteria.
• Collaborate with system architecture and software teams to ensure HW-SW integration robustness.
• Manage external labs and certification processes where required.
• Drive continuous improvement of validation coverage and efficiency.
• Lead the full ATE development lifecycle from requirements definition to execution in production, including GUI design and Python scripting.
• Develop and maintain boundary scan applications using JTAG Technologies.
• Define and maintain test fixtures, including JIGs/Bed-of-Nails, etc., in collaboration with mechanical vendors.
• Implement full test traceability systems for production yield and stability monitoring.
• Collaborate with R&D and Quality teams to drive product quality and reliability improvements.
• Provide onsite support at CM sites, including station setup, installation, training, maintenance, and debugging.
• Perform in-depth failure analysis and troubleshooting at the system and component level.
• Utilize and maintain a range of test equipment, including:
• Work with various communication protocols: TCP/IP, Telnet, SSH, HTTP, SNMP, SFTP, SCP, FTP, RS232, GPIB, I2C, and NI-VISA.
• Support testing of embedded systems running on Linux platforms.

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in high-speed hardware validation in networking, telecom, or data center infrastructure.
• 3+ years of team leadership experience (preferred).
• Deep expertise in: Ethernet PHY validation (IEEE 802.3), PCIe validation and compliance, High-speed SerDes characterization, Low-speed protocol validation (I2C, SPI, UART, MDIO)
• Strong understanding of signal integrity and power integrity.
• Hands-on experience with high-end lab equipment and compliance tools.
• Experience defining and scaling validation infrastructure.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional debug efforts.
• Experience with system-level architectures in distributed networking systems — strong advantage.
• Strong project management and milestone-driven execution.
• Excellent technical communication and leadership skills.
• Proven experience in developing and supporting ATE systems in a production environment.
• Proficiency in Python for test scripting and automation.
• Hands-on experience with JTAG Technologies tools and boundary scan development.
• Strong understanding of optical and electrical test methodologies and tools.
• Knowledge of Linux-based embedded systems and associated test techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a hands-on approach to diagnostics and issue resolution.

Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.