Principal Field Application Engineer
NXP Semiconductors
Principal Field Application Engineer
NXP Semiconductors
Automotive semiconductors and secure embedded solutions
Role Summary
As an Automotive Field Application Engineer, you will provide comprehensive customer-facing technical support for Automotive MCU–based applications across multiple automotive domains. This role requires strong execution capability, system-level understanding, and the flexibility to support both key accounts and mass‑market customers.
You will work closely with customer engineering teams to ensure smooth project execution, timely issue resolution, and effective adoption of Automotive MCU platforms across diverse applications such as BMS, Body/Zone Controllers, and Infotainment (Radio/Audio).
Responsibilities:
Customer Technical Support
Provide on-site and remote technical support for Automotive MCU–based customer projects.
Act as the primary technical interface for assigned customers during development, validation, and early production phases.
Application-Level Support
Support AMCU-based applications including:
Battery Management Systems (BMS)
Body and Zone Controllers (AUTOSAR-based or non‑AUTOSAR)
Radio, Audio, and selected Infotainment systems
Assist customers with MCU bring-up, peripheral configuration, and system integration.
Debugging & Issue Resolution
Analyze and resolve customer issues across hardware, software, and system levels.
Support embedded software debugging, including drivers, RTOS integration, and AUTOSAR CP–based systems.
Coordinate with internal AE, R&D, and product teams to ensure efficient issue escalation and closure.
Security & Safety Awareness Support
Support customers in understanding and applying Automotive Cybersecurity concepts, including secure boot, secure communication, and basic key management usage.
Assist customers in debugging security-related integration issues on MCU-based platforms.
Demonstrate awareness of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) concepts and their impact on system usage and software integration.
Project & Account Support
Support both key accounts with high engagement demands and mass‑market customers with parallel project requirements.
Participate in customer design reviews, technical discussions, and on-site debug sessions.
Maintain structured follow-up, documentation, and communication for customer issues and project status.
Customer Enablement & NPI Support
Support customer adoption of reference designs, demos, and recommended usage models.
Deliver technical workshops and hands-on guidance to customer engineering teams.
Support customers during NPI phases from an application and usage perspective.
Collect customer feedback and relay it effectively to internal teams.
Requirements:
Experience & Background
4–8 years of experience in automotive electronics, embedded systems, or customer-facing technical roles (FAE, Application Engineer, Technical Support).
Practical experience supporting customer projects rather than pure R&D ownership.
Technical Skills
Automotive MCU
Solid experience with Automotive MCU platforms (AMCU).
Familiarity with MCU peripherals such as ADC, timers, PWM, communication interfaces, DMA, and basic system resources.
Embedded Software
Experience working with embedded software stacks, BSPs, and peripheral drivers.
Familiarity with AUTOSAR Classic (CP) concepts and integration is a strong plus.
Comfortable using embedded debugging tools (JTAG, trace, logging, memory analysis).
Automotive Application Knowledge
Practical understanding of one or more of the following domains:
BMS or battery-related ECUs
Body / Zone Controller architectures
Radio / Audio / Infotainment systems
System-level understanding of ECUs, including HW/SW interaction and integration constraints.
Security & Safety Awareness
Basic understanding of Automotive Cybersecurity concepts, such as:
Secure boot and firmware authentication
Secure communication principles
Key and certificate usage at system level
Awareness of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) requirements and their influence on system design and software usage.
Deep security or safety concept design experience is not required.
Soft Skills & Working Style
Strong customer-oriented mindset with effective communication skills.
Ability to handle multiple customer issues and projects in parallel.
Comfortable working independently at customer sites when required.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
English proficiency for daily technical communication (meetings, emails, documentation).
Preferred Qualifications (Plus):
Experience supporting automotive OEMs or Tier‑1 customers.
Exposure to Automotive Ethernet switches or time-sensitive networking concepts.
Experience with system validation or field issue troubleshooting.
Automotive semiconductors and secure embedded solutions
NXP Semiconductors designs and sells semiconductor chips for vehicles and other devices. Its products include automotive-grade microcontrollers and other ICs used in engines, infotainment, safety systems, and networked car architectures. These chips process data, run software, and enable features such as advanced driver assistance and vehicle connectivity, often with strong security and real-time performance. Unlike some peers, NXP became an independent company after Philips spun off its semiconductor unit in 2006 and later merged with Freescale in 2015, building a focused strength in automotive semiconductors and microcontrollers. This gives it a clear niche in the market and the goal of growing as a standalone leader in smarter, connected vehicles and related technologies.
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