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MaxLinear

Fabless RF/analog/mixed-signal IC designer

RF/MS IC Design Engineer - Optical Networking & SERDES

Full-TimeDeadline 8/14/27
$112k - $242k/yr+ Annual discretionary bonus + Stock-based compensation
Mid, Senior, Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
San Jose, CA, USA
In Person
Electrical EngineeringRF & Microwave Engineering

About the job

Requirements
  • A BS in Electrical Engineering or a related field and at least 5 years of experience, an MS and at least 3 years of experience, or a Ph.D.
  • Experience designing RF and mixed-signal integrated circuits for high-speed connectivity applications.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with a team to drive architecture, design, implementation, and verification of RF and mixed-signal systems for SERDES and optical networking applications.
  • Architect, design, simulate, and verify RF and mixed-signal circuit intellectual properties for high-speed SERDES and optical communication systems.
  • Design and implement critical circuit blocks, including phase-locked loops, voltage-controlled oscillators, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, and high-speed transceiver components.
  • Debug silicon issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams to take integrated circuits to volume production.

About the company

MaxLinear is a fabless semiconductor company that designs RF, analog, and mixed-signal integrated circuits for broadband, connectivity, and data-center markets. Its products include system-on-chip solutions for cable broadband, fiber-to-the-home, and Wi-Fi, plus RF transceivers and high-speed interconnects used in devices like set-top boxes, mobile devices, and automotive systems. It outsources manufacturing to third-party foundries (notably UMC) and competes by offering a broad multi-market portfolio and strategic acquisitions. Its goal is to provide scalable, high-quality semiconductor solutions that enable reliable connectivity across home, mobile, automotive, and data-center applications while expanding its addressable markets through acquisitions.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Carlsbad, California

Founded

2003

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue reached $168.8 million, up 55% year over year.
  • Infrastructure revenue rose 145% in Q2 2026, reflecting hyperscaler adoption of optical AI products.
  • Puma 9 and Carmel target September 2026 broadband and 200 million-unit AI management markets.

What critics are saying

  • Silicon Motion arbitration remains unresolved after October 2025 and March 2026 hearings.
  • MaxLinear still faces Water Island derivative litigation, keeping legal costs and distractions alive.
  • A Keystone or Puma 9 design-win miss would crush the 2026 growth story.

What makes MaxLinear unique

  • September 28, 2026 Puma 9 unifies DOCSIS 3.1, 3.1+, and 4.0 on one SoC.
  • MaxLinear’s September 2026 RackCommander spans console, telemetry, protection, and power-management for AI racks.
  • July 23, 2026 Keystone ramp gives MaxLinear 800G optical DSPs and a 1.6T roadmap.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Paid Vacation

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

-3%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 23rd, 2026
Credo shares fall as MaxLinear targets 20% to 30% of AEC market after $218.1M quarter

MaxLinear, a connectivity chip maker, aims to win 20% to 30% of the active electrical cable (AEC) market in the 1.6-terabit cycle within the next couple of years. Credo Technology Group leads that market, and its shares fell intraday. Chief executive officer Kishore Seendripu put Credo's share at 93% or perhaps 99%, but said the market is diversifying as the technical problem grows more complex. MaxLinear will sell its Annapurna chips to cable makers rather than complete cables, so its AEC revenue will be smaller. It is targeting one or two large US data centres, with first revenue expected in 2027 and a stronger ramp in 2028. Third-quarter revenue rose 72% to $218.1 million. MaxLinear raised its 2026 optical data centre revenue outlook to $250 million to $270 million and guided fourth-quarter revenue to $240 million to $260 million. Foundry supply of its DSP chips remains a constraint.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 23rd, 2026
MaxLinear Q3 revenue jumps 72% to $218.1M as AI data-center demand lifts outlook

MaxLinear reported third-quarter revenue of $218.1 million, up 29% from the previous quarter and 72% from a year earlier. Infrastructure revenue rose 210% to about $125 million, driven by demand for optical data-center products. The company raised its 2026 optical data-center revenue outlook to between $250 million and $270 million. It expects initial revenue from its 1.6T PAM4 products and transimpedance amplifiers in 2027. For the fourth quarter, MaxLinear forecast revenue of $240 million to $260 million. It also added $70 million to its revolving credit facility, bringing the total to $200 million, to support wafer purchases and customer demand.

Kalkine Media
Oct 22nd, 2026
MaxLinear boosts revolving credit by $70M to $200M and cuts liquidity covenant to $60M

MaxLinear has increased its revolving credit commitments by $70 million, bringing its senior secured revolving credit facility to $200 million. The Carlsbad, California company disclosed the amendment in a Form 8-K filed October 22, 2026. The amendment took effect October 16, 2026, with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association acting as administrative and collateral agent. It also lowers the liquidity covenant threshold from $80 million to $60 million. Proceeds are designated for working capital and general corporate purposes. On the same day, MaxLinear released unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.

StocksToTrade
Oct 19th, 2026
MXL stock rallies as Edge AI broadband bets heat up.

MXL stock rallies as Edge AI broadband bets heat up. TIM BOHEN - UPDATED OCT. 19, 2026, 12:33 PM ET Summarize this article MaxLinear Inc shares, driven by strong earnings guidance and AI-chip optimism, stocks have been trading up by 11.27 percent. Key takeaways. * New DOCSIS 3.1+/4.0 Puma 9 platform from MaxLinear targets 30-50% cost cuts for cable gear while adding Wi-Fi 8, Edge AI, DDR5, and post-quantum security. * Topaz, MaxLinear's AI-ready PON gateway SoC for 10G+ fiber, already has Askey and Gemtek building products around it. * At Network X 2026, MaxLinear is pushing Topaz and MaxAI 2.0 as edge-AI platforms, backed by partnerships with RG Nets and Bridgecom. * MXL shares recently jumped 9.9% to $93.77, signaling strong bullish sentiment and growing interest from traders. * Q3 2026 results are due 2026/10/22, setting up the next major catalyst for MaxLinear and MXL traders. Live Update At 12:32:38 EDT: On Monday, October 19, 2026 MaxLinear Inc stock [NASDAQ: MXL] is trending up by 11.27%! Discover the key drivers behind this movement as well as its expert analysis in the detailed breakdown below. Quick financial overview. MaxLinear, trading under ticker MXL, is showing a classic high-expectation growth profile. Revenue over the last year sits around $468M, but growth has been negative over three and five years. That tells traders this is a turnaround and product-cycle story, not a steady compounder yet. Profitability is mixed. MaxLinear posts a healthy 57.5% gross margin, which signals strong pricing power in its chips. But at the bottom line, margins flip negative, with EBIT margin at about -10.6% and return on equity also in the red. MXL is spending heavily on research and development and taking restructuring hits to reposition for the next broadband and AI upcycle. On the balance sheet, MaxLinear carries moderate leverage. Total debt to equity is around 0.29, with a current ratio of 1.8, so liquidity looks manageable for now. The valuation is rich: price-to-sales north of 15x and price-to-book near 18x tell traders the market is already baking in a strong recovery. The chart backs that up. MXL ripped from the low-$80s to above $100 earlier in October before pulling back toward the high-$70s. Intraday action shows controlled, grinding upside from the mid-$70s to around $79-$80, suggesting consolidation after a big run rather than a full blow-off top. Why traders are watching MXL right now. MXL is on a product launch tear, and the tape is starting to respect it. The Puma 9 DOCSIS 3.1+/4.0 SoC is a big swing for MaxLinear. By promising 30-50% cost reductions for customer-premises equipment while adding Wi-Fi 8, Edge AI, DDR5, and post-quantum security, MaxLinear is telling cable operators they can future-proof their gateways today and upgrade to DOCSIS 4.0 by software later. That "buy once, upgrade later" message is exactly what capex-sensitive operators want to hear. From a trading angle, Puma 9 gives MXL a clear narrative: multi-gig broadband, AI at the edge, and tighter cybersecurity rules all converging on one platform. That's the kind of story momentum traders gravitate to when volume picks up. MaxLinear is also pushing hard into fiber with its Topaz PON home gateway SoC. Topaz targets 10G+ fiber, Wi-Fi 8, and AI-enabled broadband, but what matters most for MXL traders is traction. The company named Askey and Gemtek as early OEM partners already designing around Topaz. Named design wins are the bridge between press release and revenue, and they help justify MXL's premium multiples. On top of that, MaxLinear is showcasing Topaz and MaxAI 2.0 at Network X 2026, positioning MXL not just as a connectivity chip vendor but as an edge-AI enabler. Features like embedded inferencing, autonomous diagnostics, and partnerships with RG Nets and Bridgecom broaden the story further. That ties MXL into the "AI everywhere" theme that has driven so many high-beta names lately. The market noticed. MXL recently ripped 9.9% to $93.77 in a single session with no specific new catalyst, which strongly suggests traders are front-running adoption of Puma 9 and Topaz and repositioning ahead of earnings. Conclusion. MXL is at one of those inflection points active traders hunt for. The legacy numbers at MaxLinear still show pressure: negative net margins, soft multi-year revenue trends, and a valuation that leaves little room for error. But the product story around Puma 9 and Topaz is strong, and the recent 9.9% surge to $93.77 shows traders are willing to pay up for that roadmap. Going into the Q3 2026 report on 2026/10/22, the key questions for MXL will be simple: are cable and fiber operators actually lining up behind Puma 9 and Topaz, and is the edge-AI narrative backed by design-win detail and bookings? Any confirmation there, even early, can extend the current uptrend. Disappointment could trigger a sharp shakeout, given how stretched the valuation already is. For short-term traders, the recent pullback from above $100 into the high-$70s sets up a classic "momentum vs. digestion" battle. MXL is holding prior breakout zones and intraday dips keep getting bought near support, which signals dip-buyers are still in control for now. As Tim Sykes likes to say, "The market rewards preparation, not prediction." In the same spirit, trading education is about process and repetition: As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade says, "The best way to learn is by tracking trades, wins, losses, and lessons learned. Every trade has something to teach.". For MXL, that means studying the chart, knowing the Puma 9 and Topaz catalysts cold, and being ready with a trading plan before the 2026/10/22 earnings call - always cutting losses fast and treating every trade as a lesson, not a guarantee. This is educational and research content only, not a recommendation to buy or sell MXL. This is stock news, not investment advice. StocksToTrade News delivers real-time stock market updates tailored to highlight the key catalysts driving short-term price movements. Its coverage is designed for active traders and investors who thrive in fast-moving markets, with a focus on volatile sectors like penny stocks, AI stocks, Robinhood stocks and other momentum plays. From earnings reports and FDA approvals to mergers, new contracts, and unusual trading volume, StocksToTrade, Inc. break down the events that can spark significant price action. Looking to level up your trading game? Explore StocksToTrade, the ultimate platform for traders. With powerful tools designed for swing and day trading, integrated news scanning, and even social media monitoring, StocksToTrade keeps you one step ahead. Once your watchlist is set, take the next step and trade with confidence using StocksToTrade's robust platform. Don't miss out - grab your 14-day trial for just $7 and experience the edge you need to thrive in today's fast-paced markets. Wall street is legally banned from these stocks. Sixteen analysts cover a stock like Apple. Zero cover a $2 stock with a $40 million market cap, and it's not by choice. Most hedge funds and pension funds have internal mandates that block them from buying anything under a certain size. Trader Tim Sykes built a simple scanner that hunts exactly that corner of the market, the one institutions can't legally enter.

Read Magazine
Oct 7th, 2026
MaxLinear Introduces Topaz(TM), one of the Industry's Most Advanced AI-Ready PON HGU Chips for 10G.

MaxLinear Introduces Topaz(TM), one of the Industry's Most Advanced AI-Ready PON HGU Chips for 10G. October 7, 2026 MaxLinear, Inc. a designer and manufacturer of high-speed, mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs), announced Topaz(TM), one of the industry's most advanced PON Home Gateway Unit (HGU) SoC. Designed for 10G broadband deployments and future fiber architectures, Topaz combines fiber access, packet processing, AI/ML acceleration, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) readiness, and intelligent power management into a single, highly integrated SoC. Topaz is designed to minimize market trade-offs-reducing system complexity, lowering bill-of-materials (BOM) costs, and accelerating time-to-market for OEMs and operators worldwide. Topaz is optimized for PON Fiber Gateways, Ethernet, and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) deployments. It provides processing performance, memory bandwidth, and connectivity required for next-generation gateways, including Wi-Fi 8, and AI-enabled services, while enabling upgrades to future multi-gigabit access technologies beyond 10G. Built with a secure-by-design approach, Topaz is designed to support compliance with leading cybersecurity frameworks and regulations, including NIST IR 8425A (U.S.), Radio Equipment Directive (RED), and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) (EU). From a technology differentiation perspective Topaz combines broadband access, packet processing, AI acceleration, advanced security, intelligent power management, and low-latency networking technologies such as L4S and Dual-Queue AQM into a single highly integrated SoC. This integration reduces system complexity, lowers BOM costs, and accelerates product development while enabling differentiated operator services. The Topaz family provides a scalable portfolio that allows OEMs and operators to optimize system cost and performance for specific applications, ranging from cost-efficient residential gateways to premium multi-gigabit, converged broadband platforms. A common architecture across the family enables extensive hardware and software reuse while preserving flexibility to address diverse market requirements. Sharing a common software and hardware foundation with MaxLinear's Puma(TM) 9 DOCSIS(R) platform, Topaz enables significant code, feature, and development reuse across Cable, Fiber, Ethernet, and FWA product portfolios. This unified platform approach, also known as AnyWAN, shortens software development cycles, simplifies portfolio management, and helps operators rapidly adopt new technologies while reducing engineering investment and long-term support costs. "Operators can't afford to wait years to upgrade their network infrastructure to meet demands of the AI-driven broadband home," said Puneet Sethi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Network Infrastructure and Carrier, at MaxLinear. "Customers want smart, AI-powered applications for home and business services, but they don't want to pay a premium for inflated power bills or monthly service fees to make it happen. With Topaz, we are solving for both. Our latest platform not only delivers affordable 10G PON connectivity today, it's also flexible enough to accelerate operators into the future - without compromising on power efficiency." "The broadband gateway market continues to demand greater performance, lower power consumption, and faster product development cycles," said Robert Lin, CEO Askey. "Topaz combines advanced fiber connectivity, AI acceleration, and future-ready networking capabilities within a highly integrated architecture. We believe this platform has the potential to help OEMs deliver innovative gateway solutions while reducing complexity and development costs. We are happy to be early access partner for Topaz and looking forward to incorporating Topaz in our roadmap as industry transitions to AI-enabled broadband services." "The convergence of multi-gigabit fiber access, advanced Wi-Fi, and AI-driven services is creating new requirements for broadband gateway platforms," said James Lee, CEO, Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd. "The Topaz platform is built to provide the processing performance, security, memory bandwidth, and integration needed to support next-generation broadband and Wi-Fi deployments and differentiated operator services. We are excited to work with MaxLinear and leverage Topaz to accelerate innovation for our global customers." Select OEMs are already designing next-generation gateways with Topaz. By consolidating key broadband, Wi-Fi, security, and processing functions into a single highly integrated platform, Topaz enables operators to deliver superior subscriber experiences while reducing system complexity, lowering power consumption, and improving overall cost efficiency. MaxLinear will be attending Network X 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Visit Read Magazine at Booth D21 to see the debut of Topaz, its next-generation PON home gateway platform, and learn how Read Magazine is enabling the future of broadband connectivity.